Oh, the weather outside is frightful! North Country is getting snow

CARTHAGE, N.Y. (WWTI) –Let it Snow! According to the National Weather Service, the dreaded four-letter word is falling early.

In a Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service Carthage, Oswego, Watertown and Lowville have a chance to see up to two inches of snow by Tuesday morning.

Snowfall accumulations will be dependent on elevation, with lower elevations seeing little to no snow and higher elevations changing over to all snow at times through the morning.

National Weather Service warns drivers that if you are traveling into areas of higher elevations, be prepared for a few slippery spots where some slushy snow may accumulate on area roads.

While the incoming snow is nothing North Country residents aren’t used to, it is a friendly reminder from Mother Nature that Winter Weather is well and truly on its way.

Below are a few helpful reminders for long-time North Country residents and a few tips for new residents, courtesy of Allen Clardy from Clardy Law Firm .

Prepare Your Vehicle:

• Tires: Ensure your tires have sufficient tread depth and are properly inflated. Consider switching to snow tires.
• Brakes : Check your brakes for any issues and make sure they are in good working condition.
• Fluids : Maintain proper oil, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid levels.

Drive Defensively:

• Reduce speed: Slow down and adjust your speed to match the road conditions. It takes longer to stop when ice and snow are on the road.
• Increase the following distance : Leave more space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• Be predictable: Avoid sudden movements. Make smooth turns and gradual stops to prevent skidding.

Master Skid Recovery Techniques:

• Front-wheel skid: Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go. Avoid slamming on the brakes .
• Rear-wheel skid : Turn the steering wheel where you want to go. If the rear continues to slide, ease off the accelerator.
• Braking skid : If you experience a skid while braking, release the brake pedal and quickly reapply pressure in a controlled manner.

Use Winter Driving Aids:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Understand how your vehicle’s ABS works. In a skid, apply steady pressure to the brake pedal; the ABS will pulse the brakes for you.
• Traction Control System (TCS): TCS helps prevent wheel spin during acceleration. Be aware of how it functions in your vehicle.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC helps you maintain control in slippery conditions. Familiarize yourself with how it operates.

Visibility Is Key:

• Keep windows clear: Clear all snow and ice from your roof, windows, mirrors and lights before driving.
• Use headlights: Turn on your headlights, even during daylight hours, to improve visibility for yourself and other drivers.
• Use wipers and defrosters : Ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition and use defrosters to maintain clear visibility.

Stay Informed

• Check weather updates: Stay informed about current and forecasted weather conditions on InformNNY .
• Road condition reports: Be aware of road conditions by checking local traffic and road condition reports.

InformNNY has reported on snow many times. Find more helpful tips for the upcoming winter weather in our past articles:

• Ogdensburg gives reminders on how to handle snow and ice
• Do snow tires help on ice?
• AAA provides tips for winter car care
• How to stay safe on snowy roads this winter
• Tips and tricks to defrost your car this Holiday season
• Should you leave windshield wipers up in snow, ice?
• New York Homeowners reminded to put Home Heating Safety First
• What to do if your vehicle loses traction on wintry roads
• Five common winter safety mistakes
• Tips to get your car unstuck from snow
• Preparing for winter driving

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