Summer Road Trip Weather Hazards to Watch For

Summer seems like the ideal time for road trips: long days, warm weather, and school vacations. But summer brings its own set of weather hazards that catch many drivers off guard. From sudden thunderstorms to extreme heat, here's what to watch for on your summer drives.

Afternoon Thunderstorms

In many parts of the country, summer afternoons mean thunderstorms. As the sun heats the ground, warm air rises and can quickly develop into towering cumulonimbus clouds. These storms are particularly common in:

• Florida: The lightning capital of the US, with near-daily afternoon storms June through September.
• Rocky Mountains: Afternoon thunderstorms are almost guaranteed in summer, especially above 8,000 feet.
• Gulf Coast: Hot, humid air from the Gulf fuels intense storms.
• Great Plains: Summer storms can be severe, with large hail and tornadoes.

For drivers, morning departures are often the best strategy. If you're driving through storm-prone areas, plan to reach your destination or a safe stopping point by early afternoon.

Extreme Heat

Summer heat affects both drivers and vehicles. When temperatures exceed 100°F, your car works harder in every way.

Vehicle concerns:

• Engine overheating: Keep an eye on your temperature gauge, especially in stop-and-go traffic or climbing hills. Turn off the AC and run the heater if your engine starts to overheat.
• Tire blowouts: Hot pavement combined with under-inflated or worn tires significantly increases blowout risk. Check tire pressure when tires are cool, before driving.
• Battery failure: Extreme heat actually damages car batteries more than cold. Have your battery tested before summer trips.
• AC failure: A broken air conditioner in extreme heat can be dangerous, not just uncomfortable. Have your system checked before summer.

Driver safety:

• Carry extra water for both drinking and potential radiator emergencies.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a few minutes. Interior temperatures can reach lethal levels in under 10 minutes.
• Recognize heat exhaustion symptoms: heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness. If you experience these, stop in a cool place and hydrate.

Flash Floods

Summer thunderstorms can drop enormous amounts of rain in short periods, leading to flash floods. These are particularly dangerous because they can occur with little warning and turn dry roads into raging rivers in minutes.

Flash flood safety rules:

• Turn around, don't drown: Never drive through flooded roads. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet can float most vehicles.
• Watch low-lying areas: Underpasses, dips in the road, and areas near streams are most vulnerable.
• Be especially careful at night: Flooded roads are harder to see in the dark.
• Desert washes: In the Southwest, dry washes can fill with water from storms miles away. Never camp or park in a wash, and treat them with extreme caution during monsoon season.

Dust Storms (Haboobs)

Common in the desert Southwest during monsoon season (July through September), dust storms can reduce visibility to near zero in seconds. These walls of dust are usually generated by outflow from thunderstorms and can extend for miles.

If you encounter a dust storm:

• If you can safely exit the highway, do so.Travel at right angles to the storm if possible.
• If you cannot exit: Pull off the road as far as possible, stop, turn off your lights (so other drivers don't follow your taillights off the road), set your parking brake, and take your foot off the brake pedal.
• Stay in your vehicle with seatbelts fastened until the storm passes.

Wildfire Smoke

Summer and fall wildfires can affect air quality and visibility hundreds of miles from the actual fire. Smoke can create hazy conditions that reduce visibility and make driving uncomfortable.

• Check air quality forecasts before traveling through fire-prone regions.
• Use recirculated air in your vehicle's climate system to reduce smoke inside the cabin.
• Be aware that active fires may close roads without warning. Check for road closures before entering affected areas.
• Visibility can change rapidly. A clear road can become smoky within miles as wind shifts.

Sun Glare

Summer's long days mean more time driving into the sun during the morning and evening commutes. Sun glare significantly reduces visibility and is a factor in many accidents.

• Keep sunglasses in your car and use them. Polarized lenses are particularly effective at reducing glare.
• Keep your windshield clean, inside and out. Dirty glass amplifies glare.
• Use your sun visor, even if it doesn't completely block the sun.
• Increase following distance when driving into the sun. The driver ahead of you is dealing with the same visibility issues.

Preparing for Summer Travel

Before any summer road trip:

• Check tire condition and pressure.
• Ensure your cooling system is working properly.
• Test your air conditioning.
• Pack extra water and emergency supplies.
• Check weather forecasts along your route, not just at your destination.
• Plan your driving times to avoid the worst of afternoon heat and storms.