Winter's Not Over: Snow Expected Tonight

Forecasters agree that tonight's storm will be another mild one. Rain will move into the area around 5-7 p.m., and turn into snow after 8. Storm totals will most likely be in the 1-2 inch range, with an occasional 3 or 4 inches here and there.

Since temperatures will only fall to around 30 degrees, and rise to the upper 30s tomorrow, expect lots of slush.

Icy patches and hazardous driving conditions are always possible. Drivers should be alert, and always keep the ground rules of winter driving in mind:

• Watch your speed. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Stepping on the gas slowly is the best method for getting traction and avoid skids. Slow down slowly; it takes a lot longer to stop on a slick road. In fact, it also takes longer to accelerate, stop and turn. Give yourself time. Driving slowly is still faster than sitting in a ditch.

• If you find yourself behind a snowplow, stay behind it -15 car lengths is the rule of thumb - until you’re certain that it’s safe to pass. Keep in mind that a snowplow driver has a limited field of vision. Don’t presume that he can see you.

• Don’t be seduced by your car’s driving and shifting frills. Contrary to conventional wisdom, four-wheel and all-wheel vehicles don’t stop or steer any better on ice than two-wheel drive vehicles. And, don’t use cruise control. You need to have total control of the vehicle.

• Get the lowdown before you go down. Check the weather reports before you go on a long-distance drive into an isolated areas, and be prepared to postpone your trip if it’s looking bad. If you do go in dodgy weather, let the people you’re visiting know when you left and when you expect to arrive.

• If you do happen to get stuck, make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust can cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running. Once you’re sure it’s clear, run the engine and heater just long enough to warm up, then shut it back off.