Winter Storm Warnings for most counties north of Redding California

IF you are planning to drive north of Redding California today just expect to be driving through snow. So, if you don't know how to drive in snow or don't have an appropriate vehicle I would think twice about doing this, especially today on Interstate 5 or almost any vehicle. Likely snow will be coming down (whether it sticks or not) from at least Dunsmuir to the north all the way up to Canada today. So, if you are driving the best times likely would be daylight with an all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive vehicle. And make sure you already know how to drive in snow.

If you have never driven in snow here are some tips. Don't use your brakes at all if you can help it. If it is snowing and sticking on the ground it often isn't good to drive above 25 to 35 miles per hour in this because you cannot easily stop at all. So, especially going downhill in snow without chains is dangerous.

IF you have a front wheel drive car and are not in 4 wheel drive if you are driving on ice downhill, the rear end of the car sometimes will try to come forward as the engine is deaccelerating. If possible so you aren't sideways on the road give it a little teeny bit of gas until your car straightens out if possible. Always try first to deaccelerate using your engine by downshifting rather than using brakes at all. If you need to brake try to brake where there is no snow at all on the road because braking on ice can often be a disaster for you. IF you start to spin out steer into the spinout to try to keep control of the car. Once the car has spinned 180 degrees you have completely lost control (unless you are a race car driver) or something. You just don't want to do this around other cars that might hit you going either direction on your road.

So don't drive on snowy roads unless you are really experienced and have a vehicle appropriate for this. Otherwise, often you are just asking for trouble if you are not really experienced driving in snow on a road or winds and snow combined. And you need a vehicle like an all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive and know how to use it to be safe while driving on snow.

And even if you are excellent at all these things, one novice in a 2 wheel drive car can end it for you if you aren't really careful. So, use good judgement while driving in snow when falling or sticking to the road and pavement you are driving on.