Hanna Renaldi's Blog: Driving Tips for an El Niño Winter

Drivers beware: El Niño is coming. This natural phenomenon, which occurs every two to seven years, can have notable effects on weather around the globe. One of the strongest El Niños ever is expected to significantly influence weather across the U.S. this winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

An El Niño pattern affects weather in the U.S. by shifting the Pacific jet stream, which influences precipitation and temperature patterns. The climate cycle could create noticeable changes along your normal driving routes until at least February.

Some basic preparations and defensive driving tactics can help you avoid accidents that can drive up your auto insurance rates.

What’s coming our way?

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center is forecasting the following conditions through February:

Wetter than average from central and Southern California across Texas to Florida, and up the East Coast to southern New England. Southeastern Alaska is also likely to have above-average rain and snow.
Drier than average in Hawaii, central and western Alaska, parts of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains, and areas near the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.
Warmer than average in Alaska and Hawaii and across most of the West and the northern half of the Lower 48 states.
Cooler than average in the southern Plains states and the Southeast.

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Driving in wet conditions

Of the more than 1.3 million weather-related vehicle crashes that take place each year, nearly three-quarters occur on wet pavement rather than on snow, sleet or ice.

Skidding isn’t the only rain-related issue, says professional stuntman Hugh Aodh O’Brien, who’s driven in just about every kind of adverse weather condition. Hydroplaning (which occurs when tires rise up on a thin layer of water) and flash flooding are also major hazards.

“It takes only 6 inches to a foot to float a car,” O’Brien said. “It takes only fractions of an inch to create hydroplaning, depending on the condition of your tires.”

Worn-out or improperly inflated tires won’t provide good traction on wet roads. Check your tread by inserting an upside-down quarter into a groove in the top of your tire; if you can see above George Washington’s head, it’s time to buy new tires.

If an area is closed due to high water, choose an alternate route rather than risk getting stuck or, worse, swept away. It’s essential to drive more slowly in rainy conditions, because hydroplaning can occur starting at only 35 mph and because it takes longer to stop on wet roads. Allow plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead — add at least a couple of extra seconds to the typical three- to four-second following distance.

Driving on snow and ice

Here are some additional tips to prevent crashes on snow and ice.

Don’t panic if you skid. Instead, focus on and steer in the direction you want to go. Apply steady, firm pressure to the brake pedal. You might hear and feel ratcheting as the antilock brake system rapidly pumps the brakes.

Avoid cruise control in wet, snowy or icy conditions; if you skid or hydroplane, the vehicle may accelerate and spin its wheels in an effort to maintain the preset speed.

Practice winter driving skills. If possible, find an empty lot after it snows. “Practice stopping, going and turning to see what’s affected,” says Jean Jennings, co-founder of Automobile magazine and an automotive journalist for more than 30 years.

Accelerate and decelerate slowly, to maintain traction and prevent skidding.

Don’t rely on four-wheel drive to save you. It’s good for getting your car going under slippery conditions, but it doesn’t help you brake and may not always improve the way the vehicle handles.

Pay close attention to other vehicles. O’Brien suggests anticipating what might happen — for example, a car sliding through a stop sign and toward you. “Most people overcorrect because of the adrenaline. Smooth is always better than quick and sharp,” he says. “Smooth will help you maintain control.”

Be prepared

Don’t wait until the storms arrive. There are several steps you can take ahead of time to help you avoid, or survive, a weather-related accident.

Let someone know where you’re going and what time you expect to be back.

Watch the forecast, especially for ice storms. Thomas Walters, who owns an insurance agency in Wake Forest, N.C., has seen these weather systems quickly shut down the entire region. “Once it starts, everything could happen in 45 minutes. Keep an eye on the weather and make sure your car is ready,” Walters says.

Prepare your car for winter. The time to get the car ready is before severe weather hits, so have a qualified mechanic check it out as soon as possible. Buy extra windshield washer fluid. Get in the habit of keeping your gas tank full, as this helps prevent fuel line freeze-up.

Consider installing winter tires. Jennings notes that an ordinary tire starts to harden up and lose its grip when the temperature reaches 40 degrees. Winter tires are more pliable in colder temperatures and have much deeper tread. “Never mind the all-weather radials. I recommend people change out their tires,” she says.

Build a car kit. Keep stash of supplies in a box in your trunk. The Ready.gov website suggests carrying snack foods, water, matches, a first-aid kit including a pocketknife, blankets, warm clothing such as hats and mittens, a tow chain or rope, a fluorescent distress flag, and a flashlight and battery-powered radio, with extra batteries for both.

That may sound like a lot to put together, but you probably have many of those items on hand already. If you don’t have a cellphone charger for your car, get one; should you go off the road, that phone could be your lifeline.

An ordinary winter can be challenging enough for drivers. With a severe El Niño winter forecast, now is the time to prepare. Review safe driving practices, make sure your car is ready for wet or snowy weather and lay in those emergency supplies. Don’t set yourself up to be stuck for hours in extreme conditions, wishing you’d planned for the worst.

Donna Freedman is a contributing writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website.