Washington State University students shouldn’t have stress about driving in harsh conditions this winter.

Transitioning into the colder winter months, the weather is expected to be warmer with less precipitation than normal, meteorologist Nic Loyd said.

Meteorologists are able to predict, but are unable to confirm, the weather months in advance, Loyd said.

Pullman is generally not expected to have much snow this winter, he said. However it is still winter and there will be cold and snowy days that affect driving conditions statewide.

“Last season was pretty light for snow, but like they say in the financial markets, past results are no indicator of future performance,” Director of WSU Transportation Services John A. Shaheen said.

The snow can cause dread for students driving the hills of campus or passes on their way home from holiday break, but safety precautions can relieve stress.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) suggests the safest way to travel during winter conditions is to prepare before the weather hits.

“Prepare now so you’re ready whenever the snow starts to fly,” said James Morin, WSDOT’s snow and ice program manager, in a press release.

This means equipping your vehicle with appropriate tires, planning for longer travel times and possible road closures, along with using traffic-information resources.

WSDOT also has maintenance facilities scattered statewide, including Pullman and Colfax, which are equipped with snowplows and chemicals to clear snow. The WSDOT maintenance staff begins to prepare for winter road conditions in September, converting dump trucks into snowplows and paying attention to weather forecasts, WSDOT Public Information Officer Al Gilson said. There are also sensors placed throughout the state that detect air and pavement temperature.

Gilson also recommends anyone planning on traveling to the west side of the state during winter weather to equip their vehicle with snow and mud traction tires to make passing over Snoqualmie Pass safer.

Traveling over Snoqualmie Pass can also be problematic due to common closures, however, the WSDOT website provides pass closure information and safety precautions.

Students on the WSU campus should be cautious by driving slower than normal in winter conditions. Tire traction is also important while driving the steep hills on campus. Students should plan extra time for parking during heavy snows.

“Snow is often stored in empty parking spaces, so expect conditions in parking lots to change from time-to-time,” Shaheen said. Snow and ice conditions do not fare well with last minute commuting, so plan extra time for driving on and off campus.