Most of us think we know a whole lot about the weather and what to do when we’re in less-than-ideal conditions. Unfortunately, a lot of things we’ve heard over the years aren’t true. Some myths have been passed down through the generations when science was in its infancy and simply don’t hold true today. To give you the best possible chance of staying safe, here are some of the most common weather myths and what you can do instead.
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| Myth #1: High-beam headlights help you see better when driving in fog. The reality is using high-beam headlights in fog, especially when it’s dense, causes glare and that makes it harder to see what’s ahead of you on the road. Instead, use low-beam headlights and activate your taillights to provide visibility to the car behind you. |
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| Myth #2: Open your windows during a tornado to equalize air pressure and minimize damage. Supposedly, open windows equalize barometric pressure (the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere) before the tornado hits, minimizing potential damage to your house. It sounds super scientific … but it’s just not true. The barometric pressure in your house will be the same as what it is outside, regardless of whether you open the windows or not, and opening the windows can actually put you in a dangerous situation. Instead, avoid being anywhere near windows, seeking shelter in a basement or a room with no windows. |
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| Myth #3: The safest place to stand during an earthquake is in a doorway. Doorways are definitely not the safest place to protect yourself when the ground and everything around you starts shaking. If you’re inside during an earthquake, find a location where you can take cover (for example, under a table), and “drop, cover and hold on.” This means dropping to your hands and knees, covering your head and neck with your arms, and if you’re under a piece of furniture, holding on and being ready to move when it moves. |
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| Myth #4: It’s safe to go out during a hurricane once it calms down. Not so fast. You’re actually in the eye of the storm—which means you’re literally in the middle of a swirling hurricane, and it’s about to get bad again. Located outside of the eye is something called the eye wall, which is the part of the hurricane that brings the strongest winds and a storm surge, and it can come with very little advance notice. No matter how quiet and nice it might get during a hurricane, stay put indoors. Continue to take refuge in an interior room, away from windows, skylights and glass doors, and follow instructions from your local officials. They’ll let you know when the storm has officially passed. |
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| Myth #5: A car’s tires protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground. The thing is, if you’re in a car while it’s lightning, the vehicle will help safeguard you, but it’s not because of the tires. The shielding comes from the top down, not the bottom up. Lightning usually strikes either the car’s antenna or along the roofline. It then passes through the outer metal shell of a hard-topped car, through or over the tires and to the ground. Although each lightning strike is different, it’s common to have damage to the antenna, electrical system, rear windshield and, yes, tires. In the event you’re in your car during a lightning storm, you’ll want to pull the car into a sturdy sheltered area like an enclosed garage that covers your car as much as possible. Do not park under trees, which are tall, pointed objects that attract lightning! If that’s not available, find a parking lot or pull off to the shoulder of the road, keeping only your hazard lights on. Turn off the car, close your windows and keep your hands on your lap to avoid touching any of the vehicle’s parts that could conduct electricity. If lightning does strike the vehicle you're in, wait 30 minutes to get out of the car because it takes that long for the charge to be grounded. |
