Central NY under a winter storm watch from Wednesday through Sunday

Monday at At 2:16 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch effective Wednesday at 13.00 to Sunday at 4 p.m. for Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga and Madison counties.

The weather service says to expect, “Heavy lake effect snow possible. Total snow accumulations greater than 7 inches.”

“Travel may be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions may affect the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commute,” the weather service explains. “Monitor the latest weather forecasts for updates on this situation. During lake effect snow, weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few kilometers away. Visibility can also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions.”

Stay safe on winter roads: Winter driving tips from the weather service

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 winter driving tips from the weather service:

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 stock your vehicle with essential winter supplies, including a windshield scraper, 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 you set off on your journey, check the latest 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.