Winter doesn't officially arrive until Dec. 21, but it's going to send a wet and icy "preview of coming attractions" into our area today and through the weekend, said Peggy Peirson, Benton County's emergency services coordinator.

Although the snow might prove to be little more than inconvenient and is likely to disappear before Christmas, the immediate forecast calls for up to 15 inches of snow in the Coast Range and possibly up to three feet in the Cascades. The valley floor could get a smattering of snow on and off, Peirson said, but steady snowfall is forecast for Sunday.

Until then, travelers should plan to keep in mind a forecast for freezing rain. The weather should start drying out and warming up early next week, Peirson said.

Motorists were scrambling Friday to prepare their vehicles, and that meant a busy day for tire dealerships such as the Les Schwab Tire Center store that Trent Miller manages on Northwest Ninth Street in Corvallis. "Business has definitely picked up, as it does every year at this time or when the cold weather hits," Miller said.

Most people are buying chains, he said. Although they provide traction in snow, they are of little use if freezing rain turns area streets into ice rinks.

The best thing that drivers can do is to avoid any unnecessary trips. The second-best is to drive only on tires with good tread, properly inflated and fully functional, Peirson said. As important: Have a cell phone handy and carry an emergency kit in case of breakdown. It should include blankets, emergency flares and even some packaged, nonperishable food.

Safe travel tips

The National Weather Service offers these safety tips for traveling during snowy conditions:

• Let someone who is not traveling with you know your travel plans.

• Make sure you have traction devices, a tow rope, and sand or cat litter for traction.

• Carry a tool kit, windshield scraper, battery cables and a first-aid kit.

• Take along a flashlight, extra batteries, and a blanket or sleeping bag.

• Have waterproof matches, high-calorie snacks and an empty can to melt snow for drinking.

- Gazette-Times