How to Drive in Windy Conditions

Sometimes, you start on a road trip, and the weather is idyllic, the sun is shining, and there are no snafus. But then the weather changes as you drive to another region or the conditions deteriorate. If you ever find yourself in windy conditions, you may have to change your driving habits just a bit.

Take a look at some driving tips for windy conditions thanks to our experts at Thompson Sales.

Related Post: Thompson Sales Discusses Lightning Safety and Your Vehicle 

1) Check the Weather Ahead of Your Journey

Before driving, check the weather on your phone or vehicle’s infotainment screen. Be wary of any weather alerts along your route. If any weather alerts come up after you start driving, pay attention to them even if you’re just driving in the city near plenty of buildings where you can take shelter. 

2) Avoid High Winds If You Can

Avoid driving in windy weather if you can. Windy conditions can last all day, a few hours, or a few minutes.  And windy weather can suddenly come upon you without warning, despite the best weather prediction models. Please don’t drive in high winds. Wind speeds of just 30 mph can push a vehicle off the road, particularly if it’s a larger vehicle with a high profile.

3) Slow Down or Pull Over

Just like with heavy rain or dense fog, slow down if you’re driving in very windy conditions. You might be tempted to speed up to try to get out of the bad weather conditions as soon as possible. But that could lead to an accident, especially if wind gusts are unpredictable. 

If a wind gust pushes your car to the side, swerving to compensate at higher speeds can lead to an accident. Slowing down in windy conditions can prevent this from happening. 

4) Get Ready for Winds as You Drive

Sometimes the winds die down as you travel, such as when you go behind a big hill, around the corner of a tall building, or enter a tunnel. These offer a temporary reprieve from the windy conditions. You can anticipate the winds returning as you emerge from the tunnel or around the hill. 

Slow down before the winds pick back up as you drive along. Even as you brace for the high winds, it might be jarring, and it could move your vehicle in an unexpected direction.

5) Watch Out When Passing Other Vehicles

Winds can wreak havoc on taller, bigger vehicles like semi-trucks and buses. Although it’s better not to pass vehicles because of the winds and you’re driving slower, sometimes you need to pass other cars every once in a while. 

When passing large trucks, buses, or taller vehicles, use extreme caution. High winds can make them move to the side or even topple over. Try not to pass these tall vehicles if possible when the wind is blowing.

6) Look for Falling & Blowing Debris

Windy conditions can blow large objects, like trees, plywood, insulation, tarps, sheets of plastic, and even sheet metal. Watch for falling and blowing debris as you drive in windy conditions. If you’re near tall buildings, loose items could blow off the roof and land on your vehicle. Look for cars hauling debris, dirt, rocks, and other small objects. Wind can cause these things to blow out of the dump truck and onto your windshield, causing cracks and splits. Some trucks might not have wood or insulation tied down, and those larger objects can blow out and land in your path or on your car. 

Debris can damage your car or even hurt your passengers due to sudden movements or hitting the brakes. 

7) Maintain a Longer Distance Behind Other Vehicles

Keep your distance when driving behind other vehicles. The general rule of thumb is to leave two seconds of driving distance between you and the vehicles in front of you. In windy conditions, consider doubling the driving distance to four seconds. This will give you extra reaction time in case the wind causes problems.

8) Keep Two Hands at 2 and 10 on the Steering Wheel

Although it’s tempting to relax when driving, you must keep two hands on the steering wheel when driving in windy conditions. As you might expect, keep your hands at the 2 and 10 positions on the top of the steering wheel and off-center.

This will give you complete control of your steering wheel and allow you to make shifts quickly if needed. 

9) Pay Even More Attention

Just like ordinary driving, you should pay attention to everything going on around you. Adverse weather conditions, including wind, should make you pay even closer attention to your driving. Even though your drive route may be ordinary, such as your daily commute, windy conditions, and intense storms can make your daily drive harrowing. Always pay attention to the road when you’re driving.

10) Park Appropriately

Windy conditions can even make parking a challenge. Park somewhere safe, like a parking garage. Never park under a tree or a large pole in windy conditions, as those can break and fall onto your car. Don’t park near ditches or close to a highway. The wind could blow you, your passengers, or your belongings into the ditch. The same is true for cliff edges or riverbanks, so please don’t park near any of those when high winds are forecast.

Related Post: Car Repair: What to Do About Hail Damage 

Drive Safely With Tips From Our Car Dealer in Springfield, MO

At Thompson Sales, we want you to get the most out of your driving experience and vehicle ownership. We hope you find these driving tips helpful as you navigate your daily commute, weekly errands, and road trips. 

Looking for a great new vehicle with advanced safety features and connectivity? Contact Thompson Sales in Springfield, MO, or call (417) 763-6811. We’re happy to help in any way we can!