At 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, a Winter Storm Warning was issued by the National Weather Service, effective from 1:00 p.m. Thursday through 7:00 a.m. Saturday for Westmoreland Ridges and Fayette Ridges.

The weather service says to expect “total snow accumulations of between 6 and 12 inches.” Winds gusting up to 35 mph.”

“Roads, and particularly bridges and overpasses, are likely to become slippery and dangerous. Travel could be very difficult. Hazardous conditions could impact commutes on Thursday evening and Friday morning,” describes the meteorological service. “Please report snow or ice accumulations by calling 412-262-1988, posting on the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPittsburgh.”

Mastering winter roads: tips from the weather service for safe winter 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.

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.