Updated: 9:55 p.m., Jan. 19 - The National Weather Service has upgraded its advisory to a winter storm warning.
Winter weather heading our way could dump some serious snow throughout the area, based on predictions at the National Weather Service.
Friday a winter storm warning goes into effect at 9 a.m. and continues until midnight. Accumulations of five to eight inches are expected, but more snow is possible. The snow is expected to start in the mid-to-late morning, with the heaviest snows expected to fall Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter storm warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected with significant amounts of snow forecasted, according to the weather service.
The National Weather Service is predicting a “treacherous” afternoon commute Friday, with temperatures in the teens expected to make salt on roads less effective. Travelers who are flying may also experience delays or cancellations. Drivers can find real-time road and traffic information on Naperville Patch.
The temperature will drop to about 0 degrees Thursday night and the high on Friday is predicted to top out at 20 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 100 percent, according to the National Weather Service.
Here are some winter driving tips from the Bridgestone Winter Driving School:
Know Your Car: Antilock Breaks (ABS) and traditional breaks are similar until an emergency situation when the breaks require two different approaches. ABS breaks require the driver to press hard on the break and not stop while continuing to steer. With non-antilock breaks drivers must pump the breaks is most effective, but you must lift off of the brake if steering is required to avoid an obstacle.
Test Road Conditions: When driving in challenging conditions, the school suggests drivers test the grip of tires on the road, making sure to break hard. When nobody is behind you, they suggest hitting the brakes firmly until the wheels lock up. This will provide a clear indication of the grip available at that particular point in time. This should be repeated when taking a long trip.
Use Traction Effectively: If driving along a road with curves, be sure to break while driving in a straight line prior to entering a curve, then take the foot off the break before steering into the curve, which allows a driver to use all of the traction for steering. Accelerate only when able to straighten the steering wheel at the exit of the turn.
Speed: Too little speed can be just as dangerous as too much speed in winter conditions, according to the Driving School. If a vehicle won’t make it up a hill or if traffic has to change lanes to get around a driver, that can create a dangerous situation. Sliding through traffic lights also presents a dangerous situation for a driver and other motorists.
Source: Bridgestone Winter Driving School