The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning at 2:22 a.m. Wednesday effective from 2 p.m. through 5 p.m. Friday for the Siskiyou Mountains and Cascades of southern Oregon.

“Heavy snowfall is expected above 5,000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet. Winds gusting up to 50 mph,” the weather service says. “The heaviest snowfall is expected in the afternoon today and Thursday, when rates of 1 inch per hour are likely (70-90% chance), especially on Thursday. There will be a relative lull in snow accumulations late Wednesday evening while the region is between facades.”

“Travel could be very difficult, if not impossible. Gusty winds and heavy snow could cause tree branches to fall,” the weather service explains.

Driving in winter: expert tips from the weather service for safe travel

Winter’s icy grip often makes roads dangerous, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related vehicle deaths and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When you find yourself on snowy or freezing rain roads, your top priority should be safety. Slow down and be careful. In near-freezing weather, it is prudent to anticipate icy areas on the road and adjust your driving accordingly. Be aware of ice accumulating on power lines and tree branches, as they could 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. Other winter driving tips include:

Share your travel plans:

When traveling out of town in dangerous winter weather, 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, such as 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.

Pay attention to 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 current road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

Stay safe on winter roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the weather service and reduce the risk of accidents in harsh 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.