Driving in Strong Winds in the UK: A Practical Guide

#When wind becomes dangerous

The Met Office uses Beaufort scale and gust speed in mph for road weather warnings. Yellow warnings typically come in around 45 to 55 mph gusts, amber at 55 to 70 mph, and red above 70 mph. For most cars, gusts above 45 mph become noticeable, gusts above 55 mph need active steering correction, and gusts above 70 mph make some routes genuinely unsafe (motorway exposed bridges, the M62 summit, the Severn crossings).

Caravans, motorhomes, lorries, and high-sided vehicles are at risk much earlier. Bridges over the Severn, Forth, Humber, and Queensferry are routinely closed to high-sided vehicles in 50 mph plus winds, and to all traffic in winds above about 70 mph.

#How crosswinds affect a car

A car driving at speed in a crosswind is acted on by two forces: the wind pushing sideways, and your tyres providing sideways grip. As long as the grip exceeds the push, you stay in your lane. The push depends on the size of the car (bigger surface area equals bigger force), the speed of the wind, and how exposed your road is.

The other complication is wind shadow. A high-sided lorry traveling alongside you blocks the wind. As you pass it, you suddenly emerge from the shadow into the full force of the gust. The car steps a foot or two sideways. If you were not expecting it, you can find yourself in the next lane before you have reacted.

#Technique in steady wind

In a steady crosswind (one that does not change much), the car will pull slightly off-line. You apply a small amount of corrective steering and hold it. The trick is to anticipate gusts rather than react to them. A change in wind volume in your ear, a sudden flutter of trees on the verge, or the appearance of a bridge ahead are all signs to grip the wheel firmer and brace.

Keep both hands on the wheel in the 9 and 3 positions in high wind. One-handed driving is for calm weather. Reduce speed; gusts have less effect at lower speeds. The Highway Code recommends a 10 to 15 mph reduction below the speed limit in strong wind, which on a 70 mph motorway means doing 55 to 60 mph in genuinely high winds.

#Exposed motorway sections

• M48 and M4 across the Severn bridges
• M62 across Saddleworth Moor (J22 to J25)
• M6 across Shap fells (J38 to J39)
• A1(M) and A1 across the Pennines
• M74 and A74(M) southern uplands of Scotland
• M180 and the Humber Bridge approach
• A66 across the Pennines (often closed to high-sided vehicles)

These routes have wind warnings on overhead gantries and roadside boards. National Highways will close them to high-sided vehicles when gusts exceed roughly 50 to 55 mph, and to all traffic at higher levels. If the sign tells you the road is closed, find an alternative; the warning is not optional.

#Lorries, caravans and trailers

A high-sided lorry on a windy motorway will yaw visibly across its lane. Give them a wider berth than usual. Do not sit alongside them in the blind spot for any length of time. Pass decisively or fall back. The same applies to caravans and trailers, which can sway alarmingly in side wind. If you are towing a caravan or trailer yourself, see the trailer driving guide for specific advice on speed, anti-sway technique, and B+E licence rules.

The Highway Code rule for towing in strong wind is to slow down to 50 mph maximum on dual carriageways and motorways, and to consider stopping at the first safe service area if you cannot maintain control. Insurers will not cover an accident if you continued to drive in conditions a reasonable person would have judged unsafe.

#Debris, branches and falling objects

Wind brings debris. Branches across country roads, supermarket trolleys in city centres, road signs torn loose, and in rare cases roof tiles. Scan the road ahead more aggressively in high wind and never drive through debris you cannot identify. A small piece of wood can puncture a tyre; a metal sign can damage your windscreen.

If a tree comes down across the road in front of you, brake firmly, do not swerve. Swerving into oncoming traffic is more dangerous than the impact. If a tree comes down behind you, keep moving and call National Highways or the local police on 101 to report it.

#When to stop driving

Met Office red wind warnings are explicit: do not drive unless your journey is essential. In a red warning, expect motorway closures, fallen trees blocking minor roads, and emergency services dealing with multiple incidents. Even in an amber warning, journeys should be reconsidered for high-sided vehicles and any driver in an exposed area.

The most reliable indicator that you should stop is your own instinct. If the car is being moved by gusts in a way that scares you, that fear is information. Pull off the motorway at the next safe junction, find a service station, and wait it out. UK winter wind events typically peak for two to four hours and then ease.

#Building wind-driving confidence

There is no DVSA training module for high winds, but exposure builds skill. If you are a new driver and a windy day arrives, drive deliberately on local roads first, then a quieter A-road, then a motorway. Notice how the car responds. Get used to the corrective steering input. The main pass guide and the Pass Plus guide include broader advanced driving advice that applies in wind. The guides library has weather-specific posts on rain, fog and snow.