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Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

High Winds on a Clear Day

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Clear isn’t always calm. Even on a clear day, strong winds can be dangerous. Objects that are not secured can be rolled or tossed. Use caution when driving, especially high-profile vehicles. weather.gov/safety/wind

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Clear isn’t always calm. Even on a clear day, strong winds can be dangerous. Objects that are not secured can be rolled or tossed. Use caution when driving, especially high-profile vehicles. weather.gov/safety/wind #WeatherReady

Clear isn't always calm. Even on a clear day, strong winds can be dangerous. Objects that are not secured can be rolled or tossed. Use caution when driving, especially high-profile vehicles. Trim trees near your home. Have a plan in case of a power outage.

 

Downslope Winds

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Do you ever wonder why the leeward slopes of mountains and hills can have spurts of warm, gusty winds at times? These are downslope winds. They’re caused when strong westerly winds move over a north-south oriented ridgetop. As the air descends and accelerates, it’s compressed and warmed. Sometimes damaging winds can result, along with a rise in temperatures.

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Downslope winds can cause damaging gusts and warming temperatures on the leeward slopes of the mountains and hills. Don’t let sudden gusts in seemingly calm weather catch you off-guard! #WeatherReady

Downslope Winds: Warm, dry, gusty winds on the leeward slopes of mountains or large hills. 1) Strong winds move over the ridgetop of a mountain range. 2) As air descends and accelerates, it is compressed by the increasing air pressure, which results in warming. 3) Besides warmer and drier conditions, gusts over 40 mph are possible.

 

Science of Wind (Video)

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Wind is a part of weather we experience all the time, but why does it actually happen? This video covers the basics: youtu.be/kb9oRYUzlwQ

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Wind is a part of weather we experience all the time, but why does it actually happen? This video covers the basics: youtu.be/kb9oRYUzlwQ

 

Infographic - When the Wind Blows

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High winds can be dangerous! If possible, stay inside. When driving, slow down, keep both hands on the wheel, and keep away from high profile vehicles. Be aware of loose outdoor items and stay clear of trees. Visit weather.gov/wind for more information.

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High winds can be dangerous! When driving, slow down and keep away from high profile vehicles. Be aware of loose outdoor items and stay clear of trees. weather.gov/wind #WeatherReady

Infographic - When the Wind Blows. Identify an interior room in your house or at work that you can take shelter in during high wind warnings (head inside immediately). If you are driving and aren't near a sturdy building, hold the steering wheel with both hands and slow down. Keep a distance from high profile vehicles (be careful on the road). High winds can create dangerous fallen or blowing objects (stay clear of hazards from above). Stay clear of trees. Beware of loose outdoor items.

 

Science of Santa Ana Winds

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Santa Ana winds are strong downslope winds that blow through the mountain passes in Southern California. They are created over the Great Basin region from high-pressure air masses, which then blow down towards sea level. These winds, which can easily exceed 40 miles per hour, are warm and dry and can severely exacerbate brush or forest fires, especially under drought conditions. For more info, visit https://go.nasa.gov/2YH7Dlt.

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Santa Ana winds are strong downslope winds that blow through the mountain passes in Southern California. The winds can easily exceed 40 MPH, are warm and dry and can severely exacerbate brush or forest fires, especially under drought conditions. For more: https://go.nasa.gov/2YH7Dlt

What are Santa Ana Winds? Strong downslope winds. Created over the Great Basin from high-pressure air masses. They are warm, dry, and can worsen forest fires.

 

Science of Wind Chill

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With little wind, your body is able to maintain a thin layer of warmer air between your skin and colder air surrounding you. However, higher winds can eliminate that thin layer, and your body can begin to cool at a dangerously fast rate. Visit weather.gov/safety/cold for more winter science!

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With little wind, your body can maintain a thin layer of warmer air between your skin and colder air surrounding you. Higher winds can eliminate that thin layer, and your body can begin to cool at a dangerously fast rate. weather.gov/safety/cold #WinterScience

Infographic - The Science of Wind Chill. The average temperature of the human body is 98.6 degrees fahrenheit. Under calm conditions, the body radiates heat, creating a layer of warmth between or skin and the cold surroundings.  But when it's windy, the moving air breaks up this insulating layer. It speeds up heat loss by whisking away the warmth from our skin. Hypothermia begins when our body temperature drops two to four degrees.

 

Dust Storm - Driving

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Driving in a dust storm is dangerous. Not only can they severely limit your visibility, but they can materialize very quickly. Learn more at weather.gov/wind

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Driving in a dust storm is dangerous. Not only can they severely limit your visibility, but they can materialize very quickly. Learn more at weather.gov/wind. #WeatherReady

Safety tips for driving in dust storms: Slow down, turn lights on, sound horn occasionally, use painted center line as a guide.

 

Dust Storm - Pulled Over

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Never stop on the road when you are in a dust storm. Instead, pull off the road to a safe location and park your car. Ensure your tail lights aren't illuminated so others don't mistake your car as a moving vehicle, potentially hitting you. weather.gov/wind.

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Never stop on the road when you are in a dust storm. Instead, pull off the road to a safe location and park your car. Ensure your tail lights aren't illuminated so others don't mistake your car as a moving vehicle, potentially hitting you. weather.gov/wind. #WeatherReady

Dust storm safety tips for pulled-over vehicles: Pull off the road as far as possible. Stop and turn off lights. Set the emergency brake. Be sure tail lights are NOT illuminated.

 

Driving During Windy Conditions

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High winds can make driving dangerous. If driving during windy conditions, slow down and keep two hands on the wheel, avoid large trucks and trailers, and watch for downed tree branches or downed trees and power lines. Bridges and overpasses can be particularly dangerous to drive over when it is extremely windy, so choose routes to avoid them. weather.gov/safety/wind-during

Twitter
If driving during windy conditions, slow down, avoid large trucks and trailers, and watch for downed tree branches and power lines. Bridges and overpasses can be particularly dangerous, avoid them if you can. weather.gov/safety/wind-during #WeatherReady

Strong wind can impact travel. Strong wind can be a hazard to high-profile vehicles.

 

Wind Dangers for Recreation

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Each year, numerous campers, hikers, and all-terrain vehicle riders are injured due to the wind. Falling tree branches and blowing debris are most often the cause. The wind doesn’t have to be that strong to knock a dead branch out of a tree. If you will be spending time outdoors when it is windy, adjust your plans to avoid areas with trees or other items that could cause injury. If high winds are forecast, consider rescheduling for a later date. weather.gov/wind

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Each year, numerous campers, hikers, and all-terrain vehicle riders are injured due to the wind. Falling branches and blowing debris are most often the cause. If high winds are forecast, consider rescheduling. weather.gov/wind #WeatherReady

A camper is NOT a safe shelter from strong wind. Camp sites are often full of trees. Large branches can fall during strong wind. Seek shelter in a sturdy structure.

 

Wind Dangers for Boaters / Mariners

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Wind can be dangerous for those out on the water, because strong winds create large waves. If high winds are forecast, adjust your plans so that you can have your boat safely stowed before conditions become hazardous. weather.gov/safety/safeboating (Photo courtesy of the US Coast Guard)

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Wind can be dangerous when out on the water, because strong winds can create large waves. If high winds are forecast, adjust your plans. weather.gov/safety/safeboating (Photo: @uscoastguard)

Wind and waves are a hazard for boaters.

 

Prepare Your Home

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Strong storms with whipping winds commonly impact the U.S. during the cooler months. Each year there are reports of trees and powerlines that have been knocked over and homes that have been damaged. Trim trees and shrubs, and repair loose siding or shutters around your home well in advance of a storm. This can help reduce damage to your home. weather.gov/safety/wind-before

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Before it gets windy, prepare your home! Trim trees, and repair loose siding and shutters. weather.gov/safety/wind-before #WeatherReady

Before it gets windy, prepare your home! Trim trees, repair loose siding and shutters.

 

Securing Loose Items

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Even the most common items become dangerous objects when picked up and carried by the wind! When a High Wind Watch or a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued, secure outdoor items such as patio furniture, sports equipment and trash cans. When the weather is nice, remove dead tree branches near your home before the next strong storm system blows through. weather.gov/safety/wind-during

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Even the most common items become dangerous objects when picked up and carried by the wind! weather.gov/safety/wind-during #WeatherReady

Secure loose items before strong winds.

 

Power Outages

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Powerful storms can pack a windy punch. Don’t wait until you’re in the dark! Check your emergency kit now to ensure you have plenty of batteries and other essential supplies on hand. ready.gov/kit

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Powerful storms can pack a windy punch, knocking out power. Are you ready? ready.gov/kit #WeatherReady

Be prepared for power outages. Strong winds can knock out power. Check your emergency kit to make sure it has everything you need.

 

Family Communication Plan

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Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you’ll get to a safe place; how will you contact one another; how you’ll get back together; and what you’ll do in different situations. Create a Family Communications Plan. http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

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Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes. Make a plan. http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan #WeatherReady

Family Communication Plan