Light to moderate snow will continue into Saturday over the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast. This weekend into next week, a series of atmospheric rivers will bring gusty winds, periods of heavy rain, and mountain snow to northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Colder temperatures are in store for the weekend from the Great Lakes to East Coast. Read More >
| Hazard Map | Threat Levels | Safety & Impact |
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Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook
High Wind Threat |
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High Winds Safety Rules
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| The safest place to during high winds is indoors. | ||
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Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued. |
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| If you are caught outside during high winds: | ||
| Take cover next to a building or under a shelter. | ||
| Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle. | ||
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Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas such as roofs without adequate railing. |
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| Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts. Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall. | ||
| In the event of a downed power line: | ||
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Call for help. Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and to the police. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself. |
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| Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Puddles and even wet or snow-covered ground can conduct electricity in some cases. Warn others to stay away. | ||
| If you see someone who has been shocked who may be in direct or indirect contact with a power line, do not try to touch them. You may become a second victim. Get medical attention as quickly as possible by calling 911. | ||
| If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle. Honk your horn, roll down the window and warn anyone who may approach of the danger. Ask someone to call the police. Do not exit the car until help arrives, unless it catches on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car's exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away. | ||
| If you are driving: | ||
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Keep both hands on the wheel and slow down. |
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| Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path. | ||
| Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel. | ||
| Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts. | ||
| If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides. | ||
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While high winds are commonly associated with severe thunderstorms, hurricanes and nor'easters, they may also occur as a result of differences in air pressures, such as when a cold front passes across the area. Large winter storms occasionally produce high winds over central Florida. March and April are the most likely months for this phenomenon. A high wind warning is issued when sustained winds of 40 mph or greater or gusts to 58 mph or greater are expected.
Preparing for High Winds In advance of any storm, be sure your property is secure. Remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures, loose roofing materials and objects in yards, patios, roofs or balconies that could blow away. If a wind warning is issued consider the following: Tune in to local weather forecasts and bulletins issued by the National Weather Service on the web, NOAA Weather Radio or local TV and radio stations. Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors. Bring in unsecured objects from patios and balconies and secure outdoor objects such as lawn furniture or garbage cans that could blow away and cause damage or injury. |
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High winds can cause downed trees and power lines, flying debris and building collapses, which may lead to power outages, transportation disruptions, damage to buildings and vehicles, and injury or death.
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