On Friday at 3:02 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory valid from 7 p.m. through Saturday 7 a.m. for the upper elevations of Indiana as well as Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Westmoreland and Fayette counties, Indiana.
“Total snow accumulations range between 2 and 4 inches,” the meteorologist added.
“Roads, especially bridges and viaducts, are likely to become slick and hazardous. Plan for slippery road conditions. Hazardous conditions could impact mobility Friday evening,” the weather service explains. “Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution when driving. If you are outside, watch your first few steps on stairs, sidewalks, and walkways. These surfaces can be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of falling and injury. Please report accumulating snow or ice by Call 412-262-1988, post on the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or use Twitter @NWSPittsburgh.”
Driving safely in winter: expert advice from the weather service for difficult conditions
Winter weather can make driving dangerous, resulting in more than 6,000 weather-related deaths and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it is safe to assume icy conditions on the roads and adjust your driving accordingly. Be careful of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to breakage and fall hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you have to venture out, choose routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line, and immediately call 911 if you encounter one. Here are additional winter driving tips from the weather service:
1. Share your travel plans:
When traveling out of town in dangerous winter weather, inform your family or friends of your destination, planned route and estimated time of arrival.
2. Prepare your car:
Make sure your tank is full and stock your car with winter essentials such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothes, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable foods.
3. Keep calm when you're stranded:
If you're stranded, stay calm. Tell someone about your condition and location. Avoid trying to walk to safety. Attach a rag to your car antenna or mirror to indicate that you need help. Make your car more visible with dome light and flashers.
4. Pay attention to snow plows:
Watch the snow plows and allow plenty of room to pass. Only pass a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.
5. Check road conditions:
Before embarking 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 your risk of accidents during difficult weather conditions.
Advanced Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to collect the latest data from the National Weather Service.
