The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office has issued a county-wide travel ban through 5 a.m. Monday due to the severe winter storm hitting the region.

The travel ban prohibits all non-essential travel.

Only those traveling for employment purposes or emergency situations are permitted to be on the roads, deputies said.

The decision was made in the interest of public safety as road conditions have deteriorated significantly and visibility continues to worsen, the sheriff’s office said in a prepared statement.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service is forecasting blizzard conditions in northeastern parts of the county, including Norfolk and Massena, until 7 p.m. tonight.

Another 2 to 5 inches of snow are predicted, for a total snow accumulation between 12 to 15 inches, the weather service says. Winds will be gusting as high as 50 mph.

Visibility will consistently be below 1/4-mile due to falling and blowing snow, the weather service says. Whiteout conditions are occurring and are making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.

Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches causing some isolated power outages.

The weather service warns that it is easy to become disoriented in these conditions. Even a short walk could be deadly.

State, county and local highway departments are working to clear roads, but conditions remain hazardous.

About a foot of snow has fallen in many parts of the county in the past 24 hours and two to four more inches is expected overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

“We urge all residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm has passed and the ban is lifted,” said the sheriff’s statement.