Tips for Driving in Bad Weather Conditions
Stay Safe with Guidance from Today’s Driving School
You want to drive in Minnesota? Then you need to be prepared to deal with rain, snow, ice, fog, and everything in-between. You may think to yourself, “Nope, not driving in this stuff”. However, you may not get a choice. The weather can change quickly while you are on the road, or you may not be able to avoid driving due to urgency. The bottom line is, bad weather is going to happen, and it is important for you to know how to respond behind the wheel of a car. At Today’s Driving School, we emphasize Preparation, Awareness, and Defensive Driving Skills that help to keep you and others safe - no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.
Below, we have compiled instructor-backed tips for handling some of the most common weather challenges Minnesota drivers face.
General Guidelines for All Bad Weather
Before diving into specifics, let’s start with universal tips that apply in almost every poor driving condition:
Slow Down: Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions. In rain, snow, or fog, drive below the limit as needed.
Increase Following Distance: Leave at least 4–6 seconds of space between you and the car ahead. On icy roads, even more.
Use Lights Wisely: Headlights increase your visibility to others. Use low beams in rain, fog, or snow.
Avoid Sudden Movements: Gentle braking, steering, and accelerating help prevent skids.
Stay Alert: Scan ahead, check mirrors frequently, and anticipate what other drivers may do.
Don’t Panic: Once you start to panic, it is all downhill from there.
Driving in Rain
Minnesota summers often bring heavy thunderstorms and slick roads.
Tips for rainy conditions:
Watch for hydroplaning: If the water on the road is deeper than the treads on your tires, you will begin to float on the surface of the water. This is called hydroplanning. You will lose your ability to steer, brake and accelerate; a very dangerous situation. When there is a great deal of water on the road:
Slow down, hydroplanning is less likely to occur at slower speeds.
Do not drive with your cruise control on.
If you do start to hydroplane: Do not apply your brakes, instead ease your foot off the gas pedal and let the vehicle start to slow itself down.
Stay away from flooded roadways: Water covering a roadway can conceal dangers like a washed out road, or excessive depth of the water. Two feet of moving water can carry away from vehicles, including SUV’s and Pickup trucks. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most cars, causing possible loss of control and engine damage if water is drawn into the engine.
If the roadway is flooded, turn around and find another route.
If no other route is available, proceed to high ground and wait for the water to recede.
Turn on headlights and wipers: It is not just safer—it is the law in Minnesota (lights must be on any time you cannot see the road ahead for at least 500 feet.).
Avoid puddles when possible: Standing water can hide potholes or cause hydroplaning.
Winter Driving
Cold weather and precipitation create some challenging driving situations.
Clear snow and ice from your vehicle BEFORE driving: This includes the windows, lights, hood, roof, and trunk. Do not rely on snow clearing itself as you drive. Ice or snow flying from your vehicle is a hazard for others around you.
Easy does it lead-foot: Accelerate and brake slowly. Quick input and excessive speed lead to loss of control on snow and ice.
Know your brakes: The type of brakes your vehicle has determines how to brake in emergency situations.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS): Press firmly on the brake pedal and hold it down. The brakes will pump for you, if you lift your foot you will lose all your effective braking.
Conventional Brakes: Apply Threshold Braking. Press the brake pedal to the point that the brakes nearly lock. If they do lock, ease up on the brakes and try again.
Understand Ice: Ice, especially black ice, is a particularly nasty hazard in Minnesota.
Recognize where ice forms: Basically everywhere, but expect it to form on bridges, overpasses, shaded, and sheltered areas first.
Black Ice is a form of ice that is virtually invisible on roadways. It is a thin layer of ice that can form on excessively cold days, and can form from something as simple as car exhaust on the road.
Do not overcorrect: If you start to skid, steer gently in the direction you want the car to go.
Plan for longer stopping distances: Even at slow speeds, your stopping distance is likely to double or even triple.
Understand Four-Wheel Drive: When you have all four wheels giving you traction, you will be able to accelerate better. However, do not expect four-wheel drive to give you better braking on ice. No matter what you are driving, if you are on ice, you are going to slide.
Prepare for Winter Ahead of Time
Check your tires: Good tread and proper inflation are a must in poor driving conditions.
Maintain your windshield wiper system: Change your wiper blades if they are worn and make sure you have a winter blend in the windshield washer reservoir. It is also a good idea to keep an extra jug in the car. Good visibility in poor conditions is a must.
Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle: A blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, and other essentials are important in case you end up stranded on the side of the road.
Driving in Fog
The limited visibility experienced in fog can be disorientating and very dangerous. Vehicles and other obstacles can appear virtually out of nowhere.
Use fog lamps or your low-beams: High-beams will reflect light back to you, reducing your visibility. Fog lamps should be used in conjunction with your low-beams when they are available. They are designed specifically for use in fog.
Adjust your speed: The more your visibility is reduced, the more you need to slow down.
Do not pass other vehicles: When your visibility is reduced, it is just too dangerous to pass vehicles. Head on collisions are almost always fatal.
Avoid stopping suddenly: The driver behind you cannot see well either, a sudden stop may get you rear-ended.
Increase your stopping distance to 4-6 seconds or more: If the car in front of you stops unexpectedly, you may rear-end them.
Stop someplace safe: If visibility is too low, find a safe location and wait for visibility to improve before continuing.
Defensive Driving in Bad Weather
Poor driving conditions make it even more critical to practice defensive driving techniques.
Give other driver's plenty of room: Other drivers may brake suddenly, slide or lose control. The more space between you and them, the more likely you will be able to steer clear of danger.
Maintain control of your vehicle: Keep two hands on the wheel, slow down, and do not use your cruise control in bad weather.
Maintain control of your emotions: Frustration and fear can cause you to make poor decisions. Stay calm, be patient, and don't panic.
Watch for escape routes: Be aware of your surroundings in case you need to make a fast maneuver to prevent a crash. Look for places you can safely steer your vehicle in an emergency.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Being proactive can reduce risks significantly.
Check your tires: Good tread depth and proper inflation are crucial for traction.
Maintain wiper blades and wiper fluid: Visibility is everything in poor conditions.
Keep emergency supplies: A blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, and many other essentials are important to keep in the vehicle when it comes to Minnesota winters.
Final Thoughts
Bad weather driving is part of the reality of living in Minnesota—but it does not have to be scary. By slowing down, staying alert, and practicing safe habits, you’ll protect yourself and others while building confidence behind the wheel.
At Today’s Driving School, we do not just teach you how to get your license—we prepare you for real-world challenges like rainstorms, icy roads, and heavy snow. If you are ready to build confidence in all conditions, visit us at our website: www.todaysdrivingschool.com or call us at (844) 374-8315 to schedule your next lesson.
Safe driving is not about perfection—it is about preparation.
Jacob AhnerDriving Instructor with Today’s Driving School
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