Weather Commute Safety Guide: Rain, Fog, Wind, Ice, and Severe Storms
How commuters can adjust for heavy rain, dense fog, high wind, black ice, hail, lightning, and severe thunderstorm warnings.
Before leaving
Check watches, warnings, radar loops, traffic cameras, and road reports. A five-minute delay can matter if a squall line, snow band, or flash flood warning is crossing your route.
Charge your phone, keep fuel or battery range comfortable, and know a backup route that avoids low-water crossings.
Hazard by hazard
Fog requires slower speeds and low beams. Heavy rain needs more following distance. Wind matters most for bridges, open roads, and high-profile vehicles.
Ice and snow require the biggest speed adjustment. If roads are glazing over, staying put is often the safest decision.
When to stop
Do not drive through floodwater, hail cores, dust walls, or warned tornado paths.
If visibility collapses, exit the roadway safely rather than stopping in a travel lane.