6 Michigan counties under a winter weather advisory until Thursday morning

Thursday at At 5:17 a.m. EST, a Winter Weather Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service until 10 EST for Osceola, Clare, Mecosta, Isabella, Montcalm and Gratiot counties.

“Freezing rain and freezing fog. Additional ice accumulations around a light glaze,” can be expected, according to the weather service. “Elevated surfaces will be most susceptible to icing. Variable visibility is also expected in freezing fog.”

“Very slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges are possible. The hazardous conditions may affect the Thursday morning commute,” comments the weather service. “Slow down and be careful while traveling.”

Winter driving essentials: Recommendations from the weather service for safe journeys

Winter’s icy grip often makes roads treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When you’re on snowy or icy, rainy roads, your top priority should be safety. Slow down and use caution. In temperatures near freezing, it is wise to assume icy patches on the road and adjust your driving accordingly. Be aware of ice accumulating on power lines and branches as they can break and fall. If possible, avoid driving in these conditions altogether. But if you must venture out, choose routes with fewer trees and power lines, and never touch a downed power line. If you encounter one, call 911 immediately. Here are additional tips for driving in winter weather:

Share your travel plans:

When venturing out of town in dangerous winter weather, be sure to inform family or friends of your destination, your intended route, and your estimated time of arrival.

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies such as a windshield wiper, jump leads, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.

Stay calm when stranded:

If you get stranded, stay calm. Inform someone of your situation and location. Avoid trying to go to safety. State that you need help by attaching a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror, and make your vehicle more visible by using dome lights and turn signals

Be aware of snowplows:

Watch for snowplows and give them plenty of room to pass. Only overhaul a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before embarking on your journey, check current road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the Weather Service and reduce the risk of accidents in challenging weather conditions.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.