An updated winter storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 1:27 p.m. Tuesday, effective for Cascades of Lane County from 2 p.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Friday.

“Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches above 4,000 feet and 12 to 24 inches of snow above 5,000 feet,” the weather service comments. “A cold front will result in rapid accumulation of snow above 4,000 to 5,000 feet Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening. A break in snow will most likely occur Wednesday night into Thursday morning before additional snow showers lead to higher snowfall rates in the Cascades late Thursday morning and early Friday.”

“Roads, particularly bridges and overpasses, are likely to become slippery and dangerous. Travel could be very difficult,” the weather service explains. “If you must travel, make sure you slow down and allow extra time. If your car gets stuck in deep snow, make sure you keep it turned off to prevent possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Note that walking surfaces may be slippery. Be extra careful.”

Winter weather wisdom: Driving tips from the weather service for challenging conditions

The icy conditions in winter often make roads dangerous 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, including 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. Notify someone of your situation and location. Do not attempt to reach safety on foot. Attach a cloth to your car's antenna or mirror to signal that you need help. 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.

Stay safe on winter roads with the Weather Service's valuable winter driving tips and reduce the risk of accidents in difficult weather conditions.

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