LANSING - With another round of severe winter weather forecast to impact the entire state tonight through Wednesday morning, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is encouraging state residents and visitors to prepare for possible power outages and exercise caution on the roadways.

The National Weather Service forecast the first round of severe winter weather to begin late tonight and last through Tuesday afternoon. The wintry mix of snow and freezing rain is expected across the southern half of the Lower Peninsula with ice accumulations possible along I-94. Up to 7 inches of snow and 30 mph wind gusts are predicted for the northern Lower Peninsula. The Upper Peninsula could see up to 10 inches of snow. The second round of winter weather could bring up to 4 inches of snow and 40 mph wind gusts to the Lower Peninsula between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

“Freezing rain and accumulating ice increase the likelihood of power outages and can cause hazardous conditions on the roadways,” said Capt. Emmitt McGowan, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD). “We are asking residents to report any outages or downed power lines to their utility company and to use caution when traveling.”

Winter storm safety:

-Stay at least 25 feet from any downed lines and assume that every line is “live” and dangerous. Report outages to your utility company.

-Drive slow on ice and snow. Motorists are reminded to take extra precautions when stopping and turning.

-DO NOT crowd snowplows. Give snowplow drivers plenty of room to clear snow from the roads.

-Keep an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle stocked with a cell phone charger, batteries, battery powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, windshield scraper, jumper cables, shovel, blankets, first aid kit, non-perishable food and bottled water in the event you get stranded or stuck.

-If you are stranded, do not leave your vehicle. Stay with the vehicle and wait for help.