A winter storm warning was issued at 7:40 a.m. Saturday by the National Weather Service, effective from 4 p.m. Sunday through 10 p.m. Monday for Eastern Douglas County Foothills.

“Heavy snow expected above 8,000 feet. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches,” the weather service says. “Snow levels will be around 6,000 feet early Sunday afternoon and then drop quickly Sunday evening. Snow levels will remain around 2,500 to 3,000 feet in Eastern Douglas County Sunday evening through Monday evening.”

“Travel may be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions may impact commutes Monday morning and evening,” the weather service explained. “If you must travel, make sure you have an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Staying safe on winter roads: Winter driving tips from the weather service

Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related vehicle deaths and more than 480,000 injuries every year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by driving more slowly. When temperatures are around freezing, it is safest to assume icy road conditions and adjust your driving accordingly. Be careful not to let ice build up on power lines or tree branches, which can cause breakage and fall hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must travel, choose routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line and call 911 immediately if you encounter one. Here are more driving tips in winter weather:

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.

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with winter essentials such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water and high-calorie, non-perishable food.

Stay calm when you’re stranded:

If you get stuck, stay calm. Inform someone of your situation and location. Avoid attempts to get to safety. Attach a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror to indicate that you need help. Make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and flashing lights.

Be aware of snow plows:

Keep an eye on snowplows and give them plenty of room to pass. Only overtake a plow if you have a good view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before traveling, check current road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

These winter tips from the weather service are your key to a safer trip on snowy roads. By following these guidelines you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being during challenging winter weather.

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