In 2023, the United States alone witnessed 75,104 weather events that caused 877 deaths and 3,857 injuries. Springer Nature Link conducted a systematic review of available data on the association between ambient temperature and the risks of road traffic accidents and injuries.

The result showed adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, snow, storms, and heat waves, routinely disrupt transportation systems and increase the risk of accidents. Such studies are more an affirmation than a surprise. It’s common knowledge that driving in extreme weather can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced drivers.

After all, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says extreme weather events like floods and storms is responsible for over two million deaths between 1970 and 2021, leaving $4.3 trillion in economic losses in its wake. With the right preparation and knowledge, you have a better chance of staying safe on the road no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.

Mind Your Wipers’ Lifespan

Ignoring or neglecting to replace old or worn-out windshield wipers is an often costly maintenance mistakes people tend to make. Old, streaky wipers are a safety hazard if caught in heavy rain or snow.

We recommend getting fresh blades at least twice a year – ideally in spring and fall. Even so, it’s a good idea to always have a backup set in the trunk, especially when the weather isn’t smiling. This lets you swap them out on the spot if your wipers fail unexpectedly.

Use Kitty Litter or Sand for Traction

It’s totally recommended to keep some kitty litter or sand in the car if you routinely drive through areas of deep mud or during seasons of extreme weather. Kitty litter (the granular stuff you place in a litter box to absorb cat waste) can be a low-cost, quick fix if you get stuck in snow or ice.

It’s as good as sand in creating grip in slippery surfaces. Keeping a small bag of it in your trunk can be your saving grace.

Turn Your Headlights On, Even in the Day

They say there’s a time for everything, but every time is headlights time when the weather isn’t smiling. It’s recommended to turn on your headlights even during the day when driving in heavy rain, snow, or fog.

However, that’s not an excuse to use high beams in fogs. You’ll only make things worse for other drivers and yourself. Using low beams in daylight is asking to be seen when driving in poor weather, not just for you to see.

Use the ‘Outside-In’ Heat Trick for Defrosting

The idea is to apply heat to the outer layers of something frozen to allow a gradual penetration of heat. The trick helps defrost the frozen item more quickly and evenly. You crack a window to let in fresh air and then set the car’s heater to defrost mode – using the slight warm, instead of hot, setting.

The trick stops window fogging by balancing the humidity and temperatures inside and outside the car. Let’s make it clear that “cracking a window” is a casual way of saying to open it slightly, not actually breaking it.

Check Tire Treads with a Quarter

The Washington Quarter Test is another trick we recommend having up your sleeves to help you survive extreme weather conditions. It’s a rather simple, cost-free way to check tire tread depth, which is a crucial number in your checklist of preparatory measures to drive safely in bad weather.

You insert the quarter, with President George Washington’s head upside down, into the tread. If you insert the coin and can still see the man’s full head, it means your tire tread is too worn, and it’s time to replace it for better traction in slick road conditions.

Pack an ‘Extreme Weather’ Survival Kit

It never hurts to stock your car with alternative essentials, such as thermal blankets, energy bars, a flashlight, waterproof matches, and a power bank to keep your mobile devices charged.

These things probably won’t take up a lot of space in your car, mostly staying out of sight and out of your way in the trunk until you need them. And don’t forget instant heat packs. They can make a world of a difference if your car happens to break down in cold or icy conditions.

Reduce Speed Wisely

Take fording water, for instance. It’s not as simple as driving in and plodding through if you must do it safely. You need to go in slow and steady to avoid creating a wave or bow and flood the engine. Once in, you maintain a steady speed and never stall or change gears.

It’s preferable to ford with low gear to help you maintain power and prevent water from getting in the exhaust. You should never stall or stop in the middle of the water, and when you get to the other side, drive out as slowly as you drove in.

Likewise, reducing speed in rain, snow, or ice doesn’t mean going too slow. It’s smarter to adjust to conditions than just instinctively driving slower. 5 to 10 mph under the limit is generally fine.

Watch Out for Microclimates

Microclimates are localized or small-scale atmospheric zones where the climate is different from what’s obtainable in the surrounding area. This can be due to the vegetation, human activities, topography, or water bodies.

For example, cities tend to have higher temperatures compared rural areas, just as regions near large water bodies tend to have milder temperatures compared to inland areas. Being mindful of this natural phenomenon can help prepare you in adverse weather.

Bridges and overpasses for example, generally freeze faster than roads, just as shady spots like tree-lined parks and public squares take longer to dissolve ice.

Turn Into a Skid, Not Away

Even people who knew better still make the mistake of trying to immediately “skid away” when they lose traction. It’s a natural impulse that doesn’t always work in the driver’s favor. If your car start skidding, don’t fight it – that is, don’t immediately turn the wheels away.

Instead, steer gently in the direction of the skid to more quickly regain control. The most important thing is to regain control, which isn’t helped by your instinct to turn away. It sounds counterintuitive, but controlled steering is your best bet to recover from a skid.

Fill Your Gas Tank to Prevent Condensation

More important than protecting your eyes with polarized sunglasses is keeping your gas tank full in extreme cold weather.

You don’t do this just so you can always have enough juice to survive traffic gridlocks in bad weather but also because it helps stop condensation from forming in the tank. You don’t want your fuel lines frozen and ultimately clogged.