The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning at 2:22 a.m. Wednesday that is in effect for the Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades from 2 p.m. through 5 p.m. Friday.

“Heavy snow is expected above 5,000 feet. Total snow accumulation will be 1 to 2 feet. Wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour,” the weather service states. “The heaviest snow is expected today and Thursday afternoon, when snow 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 sits between fronts.”

“Travel could become very difficult or even impossible. Gusty winds and heavy snow could cause tree branches to fall,” the weather service explains.

Driving through the winter: expert tips from the weather service for a safe journey

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. Here are more tips for driving in winter weather:

Share your travel plans:

If you are traveling out of town in dangerous winter weather, let your 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 such as 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. Tell someone about your situation and location. Do not attempt to reach safety on foot. Indicate that you need help by attaching a cloth to your car's antenna or mirror and make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and turn signals

Beware of snow plows:

Be on the lookout for snowplows and give them plenty of room to pass. 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.