A winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Thursday at 2:05 p.m., effective from 4:00 a.m. Sunday through 2:00 p.m. Monday for the Northern Oregon Cascades, the Marion and Linn County Cascades, and the Lane County Cascades.

The weather service comments: “Heavy snow possible above 3,000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 15 inches possible.

“Travel could be very difficult,” adds the weather service. “Monitor the latest forecast for updates on this situation.”

Winter driving guide: tips from the weather service for safe travel

Winter conditions can make driving dangerous, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling in snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. At temperatures near freezing, it is safer to assume that the roads are icy and adjust your driving accordingly. Be careful of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can cause breakage and fall hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture out, opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line and call 911 immediately if you encounter one. Here are some other winter driving tips:

Share your travel plans:

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

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies including a windshield scraper, jumper cables, small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, very warm clothing, drinking water and non-perishable, high-calorie foods.

Stay calm when you are stuck:

If you get stuck, stay calm. Tell someone about your situation and location. Avoid trying to walk to safety. Indicate that you need help by attaching a cloth to your car’s antenna or rearview mirror, and make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and turn signals.

Watch out for snow plows:

Keep an eye out for snowplows and give them plenty of room to pass. Only pass a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before you embark on your trip, check the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

These winter driving tips from the weather service are the key to traveling safely on snowy roads. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being during harsh winter 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.