A winter storm warning has been issued for the Cascade Mountains in Whatcom, Skagit, Pierce and Lewis counties of Washington state, starting at 5 p.m. Monday, April 7, and ending at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, the National Weather Service in Seattle said.

Up to a foot of snow is expected, and the storm could make travel difficult. People who need to be on the road should take precautions such as keeping a flashlight on hand, packing food and water, and preparing for possible power outages, the NWS said.

The warning includes Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, Cystal Mountain, White Pass, Paradise, Ashford and Longmire.

In northwest Washington, a flood watch was issued for Mason County from 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, the NWS said.

A winter storm warning means a local National Weather Service office is confident that a storm will "produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain and cause significant impacts," according to the NWS.

"Each office knows the local area and will issue Warnings, Watches or Advisories based on local criteria," the NWS website states. "For example, the amount of snow that triggers a 'Winter Storm Warning' in the Northern Plains is typically much higher than the amount needed to trigger a 'Winter Storm Warning' in the Southeast."

These are some ways to prepare for storms that can produce blinding and wind-driven snow and freezing rain before they arrive, as stated on the Washington State Department of Health's website:

Here are some ways to minimize the risk of winter storms when they arrive, as stated on the Washington State Department of Health's website:

Staying off the road is recommended during a winter storm, but here are some ways drivers can increase their chances of rescue and survival, as stated on the Washington State Department of Health's website:

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Winter storm warning issued for Washington Cascades