Professional truck drivers will experience a range of severe weather conditions, especially during longer routes. They may find themselves driving in a blizzard, pouring rain, and high winds on the same day. Truck drivers working for flatbed trucking services need to be aware of the weather conditions in the areas that they will be driving through.

Winter Weather

Perhaps some of the most dangerous conditions to drive in are winter weather. From freezing rain to snow, precipitation can make the roads very slippery. Freezing rain is one of the most difficult winter weather conditions to drive in. Truck drivers working for flatbed transportation companies should consider pulling off in a safe spot during freezing rain if they notice ice forming outside. The road conditions are not predictable during freezing rain, and black ice may form. This can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.

When visibility is reduced, like during a snowstorm, you should try to leave space between you and other traffic around you. No matter what the winter weather, you should make sure you have your tire chains with you.

High Winds

Strong winds can be dangerous for truck drivers because they can be high enough to blow a truck off a road. This happens especially in areas with wide-open highways. If you experience strong winds while carrying an extremely light load, you should pull off the road for a while. During a windstorm, parking between two other trailers can buffer your truck from the winds.

Extreme Cold

Extremely cold temperatures can freeze a truck’s engine. If you will be parking your truck in an extremely cold area, you may want to consider leaving the truck on idle, so it does not freeze.