High winds are common during spring – March and April particularly. Local weather experts may issue a “high wind warning” when winds are expected to reach 40 mph or more or if gusts exceeding 58 mph are likely.
These winds are a hazard that all drivers need to know how to respond to.
“Extreme caution should be used when driving a car in high winds or any type of severe weather,” the Nevada Department of Transportation says. The department recommends drivers:
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- Leave for their destination earlier.
- Buckle up.
- Slow down and turn on your vehicle’s headlights if visibility is poor.
- Be ready to make steering corrections when going from a wind-protected area to an unprotected area.
- Maintain a following distance of three seconds or longer, especially if you’re near trucks, buses, campers or trailers being towed. “These vehicles could swing out and hit your car in sudden wind gusts.”
- Watch for objects that could blow or fall onto the road, such as tree limbs.
- Listen to the radio for weather alerts.
“If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving,” the NDOT says, “pull over into a safe parking area (the shoulder of a busy roadway isn’t safe) and stop, making sure you’re away from trees, power lines or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle.”
