If you are a driver, you probably felt that suction sensation when overtaking an HGV. Driving in strong winds is similar, but much less predictable, making it far more unsettling.
Crosswinds can cause the car to drift sideways before you even realise what’s happening, while falling trees and other debris can make you swerve off course to avoid them. But if you need to travel during strong winds, what should you do? This guide will help you stay safe when wind speeds reach dangerous levels.
EASY AS HACK
Keep an eye on Met Office weather alerts – yellow, amber and red warnings indicate winds ranging from 30 to 50mph and more. Even the lowest warning (yellow) could be dangerous.
At a glance
When driving in strong winds:
- Drive slowly with both hands firmly on the wheel
- Give high-sided vehicles extra room when overtaking
- Beware of crosswinds at tunnel/bridge exits
- Avoid parking under trees or insecure buildings
- Allow extra time for your journey
Driving safely in strong winds
It’s a challenge to drive safely in strong winds, especially if heavy rain is falling as well.
Gusts that come from the side (crosswinds) on exposed stretches of road, such as motorways and open moorland, make you feel less in control of the vehicle, while rain can obscure your vision.
Strong winds can push your vehicle off course and into the path of other road users. Flying branches and other debris can land on the road, forcing you to swerve. If you drive a tall vehicle, tow a trailer or caravan, or ride a motorbike, you face an even greater risk from turbulence.
Follow our tips on driving safely in strong winds:
- Check the forecast before heading off (don’t drive in poor weather unless you must).
- Ensure that your car is ready for stormy weather – follow our winter car maintenance checklist.
- Drive slowly to stay on course and to minimise the wind’s impact.
- Keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel to improve control.
- Give cyclists, lorries and other tall vehicles more room than usual when overtaking.1
- Stay alert for places where crosswinds might affect an HGV or caravan in front of you, such as when exiting from bridges.
- Don’t leave yourself at risk if you stop – you’ll be more susceptible to debris from sudden gusts of wind.1
- Avoid parking beneath trees, building works or scaffolding if you break down.1
- Allow extra time for your journey.
Considerations when driving in strong wind
Before driving in strong winds, it’s vital to consider whether your trip is truly necessary1 or if it might be safer and more comfortable to wait until the wind dies down.
Other considerations when driving in high winds:
- Follow the weather forecast and try to avoid travelling when it’s windy, even if the Met Office warning is the lowest – yellow.
- Be extra cautious if the Met Office weather service has issued an amber or red warning1 for your area. Red indicates dangerous weather with a likely risk to life.
- Plan a route that avoids rural roads, as these areas are more prone to falling branches, debris or flooding during heavy rain.
- Be mindful that strong gusts can often happen when you exit a bridge or pass a gap in hedges.
- Keep your phone charged7 in case of an emergency when heavy rain or winds are forecast.
- Take an alternative route or choose a different means of transport.7
When is it too windy to drive in a car?
There’s no single, fixed definition of when it’s too windy to drive in a car. It’s worth noting that the Met Office considers many other factors than wind, such as the time of year and whether an area is used to specific weather conditions, when issuing weather warnings.9
Nevertheless, the following windstorm conditions may stop you from driving:
- Trees blown across the road or looking like they are about to collapse. The higher the wind speed, the more likely you are to come across uprooted and fallen trees (especially during Force 10 storms – where winds reach 55–63mph, according to the Beaufort wind scale).
- Loose debris from damage to structures (and vehicles swerving to avoid it).
- Sand, other beach materials and large waves if the winds coincide with high tides while you’re driving along coastal roads.11
- Snow drifts when accompanied by strong winds.11
Which vehicles are most likely to be affected by strong winds?
Some vehicles and road users are more vulnerable to high winds than others, such as:7
- Lorries
- Buses
- Cyclists and motorcyclists
- Horse riders
- Curtain-sided trailers
- Vehicles with caravans
Even if you aren’t driving one of these vehicles, you should still be aware of their vulnerability in these weather conditions. Stay alert for sudden swerving, especially due to side winds that can blow even smaller vehicles off course.7
Is it better to drive fast or slow in strong winds?
Several authorities confirm that it’s better to drive slowly in strong winds. The AA6 says driving too fast risks being blown further off course, and increasing your distance from the vehicle in front is safer.
A research paper from an engineering institution in Sweden supports this point, finding that driving in crosswinds on open roads affects a vehicle’s stability, and that effect worsens with driving speed.
Safety organisation Brake agrees that it’s better to slow down when driving in bad weather, so you have more control and time to react. What’s more, rule 125 of the Highway Code states that a lower speed is more appropriate depending on the weather.
Head to our guide on driving too slowly.
What wind speed is dangerous for driving?
The AA6 says wind speeds of 30 to 45mph can be dangerous for driving – that’s between a Force 6 and Force 8 on the Beaufort Wind Scale, used to measure wind speeds at sea or on land.
Met Office yellow warnings during stormy weather have involved gusts of 45–50mph (Force 8 to 9) on land and 60–70mph (Force 11 to 12) along the UK’s coasts.
Weather warnings, especially red ‘danger to life’ alerts for winds of 80–100mph or more1 (Force 12), can make it more dangerous to drive.
What to do if you break down in strong winds?
If you break down in strong winds or during a storm, turn on your hazard warning lights and stay in your vehicle while you wait for emergency services or your breakdown service.6
On motorways, you can try to exit at the next junction or service area.
Follow our tips on what to do if you break down on a motorway.
How can I protect my car from strong winds?
Be careful where you park your car. Don’t park under trees or near anything that could damage your vehicle, such as telephone poles6 or scaffolding.1
Before you set off, remove anything from your car’s roof, such as a roof box.6
Find out about Ageas car insurance.
FAQs
Is it safe to drive in 50mph winds?
Driving in 50mph winds is considered dangerous by several authorities.
What wind speed is dangerous for driving?
In fact, a wind speed over 45mph is dangerous, and can result in a yellow warning from the Met Office, especially as it could mean even higher wind speeds on the coast.17
Is it safe to drive in strong winds?
If you drive in strong winds, we advise taking the steps outlined above to make sure you are safe.
Should extra caution be taken when overtaking in strong winds?
Yes, you should take extra caution when overtaking in strong winds. It will be much riskier, especially when passing high-sided vehicles that are more vulnerable to gusts.
What vehicles are least affected by side winds?
The vehicles least affected by side winds tend to be those lower to the ground, heavier and longer, such as large saloon cars. Cars with a long wheelbase, greater vehicle mass, a low centre of gravity and streamlined shape reduce the wind’s ability to push the car sideways14 and handle side winds better than tall, boxy vehicles.
Can wind break car windows?
In the UK, it’s not wind that is likely to break car windows but wind-borne debris like branches and stones. The wind would need to be extreme to shatter car glass otherwise.
Sources
[1] https://media.iamroadsmart.com/news/iam-roadsmart-issues-advisory-ahead-of-storm-darragh-491530
[2] https://shgam.org.uk/road-tips/gone-with-the-wind-tips-from-iam-roadsmart/
[3] https://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/employer/plan-manage-journeys.htm
[4] https://www.ukroed.org.uk/rospa-issues-winter-road-safety-tips-for-drivers/
[5] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/driving-in-adverse-weather-conditions-226-to-237 (rule 233)
[6] https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/strong-wind
[7] https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/keep-scotland-moving/driving-in-bad-weather/
[8] https://www.traffic.gov.scot/weather-warnings
[9] https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/accessible-uk-warnings
[10] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/driving-in-adverse-weather-conditions-226-to-237 (rule 232)
[11] https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/guides/severe-weather-advice#Wind
[12] https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/beaufort-wind-scale
[14] Brandt, A., Jacobson, B., & Sebben, S. (2022). High speed driving stability of road vehicles under crosswinds: an aerodynamic and vehicle dynamic parametric sensitivity analysis. Vehicle System Dynamics, 60(7), 2334–2357. https://doi.org/10.1080/00423114.2021.1903516
[17] https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cpd9x525653o
