At 3:06 a.m. EST Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning that was in effect from 5:00 p.m. EST until 1:00 a.m. EST Friday for Cass, St. Joseph and Berrien counties.

The weather service states: “Heavy lake snowfall is expected. Overall snow accumulations will range from 5 to 8 inches. Wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour.”

“Traveling could be very difficult. The dangerous conditions could impact commutes Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Gusty winds could knock down branches,” describes the weather service. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For current road conditions for the state you are calling from, call 5 1 1. Weather can vary from locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Also be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility and road conditions.

By car through the winter: expert tips from the weather service for a safe journey

The icy conditions in winter often make roads treacherous and result in over 6,000 weather-related traffic fatalities and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When you find yourself on snowy or freezing, rain-soaked roads, safety should be your top priority. Slow down and be careful. When temperatures are near freezing, it is advisable to assume there are icy spots on the road and adjust your driving style accordingly. Be careful of ice buildup on power lines and tree branches as they can break and fall. If possible, avoid driving in these conditions altogether. However, 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. Find more winter driving tips from the Weather Service here:

Share your travel plans:

If you are heading out of town in dangerous winter weather, be sure to let family or friends know your destination, planned route and expected arrival time.

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your gas tank is full and stock your vehicle with winter essentials such as a window scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, a flashlight, a cell phone, a blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water and high-calorie, non-perishable foods.

Stay calm when stranded:

If you get stuck, stay calm. Tell someone about your situation and location. Do not attempt to reach safety on foot. Indicate that you need help by attaching a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror and make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and turn signals

Beware of snow plows:

Keep an eye out for snow plows and make sure they have enough room to overtake. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road.

Check road conditions:

Before you travel, find out about current road conditions so you can make informed travel decisions.

These winter driving tips from the Weather Service are your key to safer driving on snowy roads. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being in difficult winter weather.

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