Driving in Bad Weather: Tips for Rain, Snow, Fog and Wind
Bad weather changes how a car brakes, steers, and how far you can see. Here is how to plan around it, adjust your driving, and decide when not to go.
GPS, Maps, Driving Directions
The most useful driving in bad weather tips come down to three things: check conditions before you leave, slow down and leave much more space, and be willing to delay the trip when conditions are dangerous. Rain, snow, fog, and strong wind each need slightly different adjustments, covered below. Planning with weather alerts and setting your route before departure does a lot of the work.
Driving in bad weather tips: plan before you leave
Most weather-related trouble on the road starts with being surprised. A few minutes of planning helps:
- Check the forecast for your whole route, not just where you are. Conditions can change completely over a mountain pass or along a coast.
- Look for weather alerts. GPS Maps includes weather alerts alongside live traffic, so you can see warnings in the same place you plan your route.
- Check traffic. Bad weather often causes slowdowns and incidents. Live traffic alerts show where.
- Set your route and voice directions before driving. In poor visibility you want your attention on the road, not on a screen.
- Tell someone your plan for longer trips, and consider sharing your live location with family while you drive.
Driving in heavy rain
Rain is the most common bad-weather condition, and it's easy to underestimate.
- Slow down. Wet roads increase stopping distances significantly.
- Double your following distance at a minimum.
- Turn on headlights so others can see you; many places require it when wipers are in use.
- Watch for standing water. Driving through it at speed can cause hydroplaning, where your tires lose contact with the road.
- If you hydroplane, ease off the accelerator, keep the steering straight, and avoid braking hard until the tires regain grip.
- Never drive into floodwater. Depth is hard to judge, and moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Turn around and find another route.
Tip: The first rain after a dry spell is often the most slippery, as oil and dust on the road surface mix with water.
Driving in snow and ice
Winter conditions demand the most adjustment.
- Prepare the car: winter or all-season tires with good tread, working lights, full washer fluid rated for cold, and a clear windshield, roof, and lights before setting off.
- Accelerate and brake gently. Sudden inputs cause skids.
- Leave much more space. Stopping distances on snow and ice can be many times longer than on dry roads.
- Be careful on bridges and shaded areas, which freeze first.
- Know your brakes. With anti-lock brakes, press firmly and steady; don't pump.
- Carry a winter kit: blanket, warm clothes, ice scraper, small shovel, flashlight, water, snacks, and a phone charger.
Driving in fog
Fog reduces visibility suddenly and can make speed hard to judge.
- Use low beams or fog lights. High beams reflect off fog and make visibility worse.
- Slow down so you can stop within the distance you can see.
- Follow the road edge or lane markings rather than the taillights of the car ahead.
- Avoid passing. You can't see oncoming traffic far enough ahead.
- If visibility becomes very poor, pull well off the road to a safe place, turn on hazard lights, and wait.
Voice directions are especially valuable in fog, since they tell you about turns before you can see them. See how to use voice navigation while driving for setup tips.
Driving in strong wind
- Keep both hands on the wheel and expect sudden gusts, especially on bridges, open highways, and between hills.
- Give extra room to trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles, which are pushed around more by wind.
- Watch for debris like branches on the road.
- Slow down in exposed areas.
Driving in bad weather: adjusting your route
Sometimes the right move is a different road rather than different driving.
| Condition | Route adjustment to consider |
|---|---|
| Heavy rain | Avoid low-lying roads and known flood spots |
| Snow or ice | Prefer main roads, which are usually cleared first |
| Fog | Choose well-marked roads with clear lane lines |
| Strong wind | Avoid high bridges and exposed coastal roads if possible |
The shortest route isn't always the safest one in bad weather. Our guide to finding the shortest route between two places explains when to choose a longer but better road.
When to delay or cancel the trip
No appointment is worth driving in dangerous conditions. Consider waiting if:
- Authorities have issued severe weather warnings or advised against travel
- Roads on your route are reported closed or flooded
- You're not experienced or equipped for snow and ice
- You're already tired, which combined with bad weather raises risk
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing to do when driving in bad weather?
Slow down and increase your following distance. Reduced grip and visibility mean you need more time and space to react.
Should I use hazard lights when driving in heavy rain?
Rules vary by location. In many places, hazard lights are for when you're stopped or moving far below traffic speed. Headlights are the main way to stay visible while driving.
How can I know about weather conditions along my route?
Check the forecast for every area you'll pass through and use an app with weather alerts and live traffic before you leave.
Is it safe to use navigation in bad weather?
Yes, if you set the route before driving and rely on voice directions. Avoid touching the phone while moving, particularly when visibility is poor.
Weather is one of the few things you can't control on a drive, but you can plan for it. To get weather alerts, live traffic, and voice directions in one app, download GPS Maps free on Google Play.