Update: A winter weather advisory is in effect across Pennsylvania Thursday through Saturday for up to 6 inches of snow.

The National Weather Service issued an updated winter weather advisory Wednesday at 6:40 p.m., effective from 1 p.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Saturday for higher elevations in Indiana and Forest, Jefferson and Indiana counties.

The weather service adds that it is forecasting: “Snow totals of 3 to 6 inches. Wind gusts reach 40 miles per hour.”

“Plan for slippery road conditions. Hazardous conditions could impact commutes Thursday evening and Friday morning, the weather service said. “Please report snow or ice accumulations by calling 412-262-1988, posting on the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPittsburgh.”

Driving in winter: tips from weather service experts for safe travel

Winter’s icy grip often makes roads treacherous, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When you find yourself on a snowy, icy, rain-soaked road, your first priority should be safety. Slow down and use caution. With temperatures near freezing, it is reasonable to expect icy areas on the road and adjust your driving accordingly. Be careful of ice accumulation on power lines and tree branches as they may break and fall. If possible, avoid driving in these conditions altogether. But if you must go outside, choose routes with fewer trees and power lines, and never touch a downed power line. If you encounter this, dial 911 immediately. Here are additional tips for driving in winter weather:

Share your travel plans:

When traveling out of town during dangerous winter weather, be sure to inform family or friends of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival.

Prepare your car:

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

Stay calm when you’re in trouble:

If you get stuck, stay calm. Let someone know about your situation and location. Avoid trying to reach a safe place. Communicate that you need help by attaching fabric to your car’s antenna or mirror, and make your car more visible by using dome lights and flashers.

Remember about snow blowers:

Keep an eye on snow plows and give them enough room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before you travel, check current road conditions to make an informed travel decision.

Stay safe on winter roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the weather service and reduce the risk of accidents in severe weather conditions.

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