Winter officially starts in a little more than 20 days, but winter weather is expected to hit even sooner. State Trooper Sean Ramsey said snow and icy weather are driving hazards, and something we shouldn't take lightly. He said things to consider when driving or preparing to drive are if the trip is important enough, and, of course, black ice.

Ramsey said because of the slick roads, people can be stranded in the cold, and not just from running off the road, but also from a semi-tractor trailer which could block the road for hours if they get into an accident. Ramsey said it's important to take precautionary measures and have an emergency kit prepared that includes food, water, jumper cables, and even a cell phone charger.

Ramsey appeared on the NEWSTALK WTIM Morning Show.