Can a Car Be Blown Away by Wind?
3 Answers
As long as the wind is strong enough, of course it can be overturned, but under normal circumstances, the probability of trucks and vans being overturned is much higher than that of family cars. For family cars, although crosswinds are not so easy to overturn the car, attention should also be paid to side-slipping and loss of control, which may lead to other traffic accidents. Strong winds not only bring a lot of inconvenience and safety hazards to people's travel, but also seriously affect vehicles on the road: such as dust raised on the road blocking the driver's vision, debris blown up or broken around easily hitting the roof or penetrating the windows, and on highways, it is more likely to cause the vehicle to lose control at high speed due to strong crosswinds, bringing serious safety hazards.
I once drove through a typhoon before, and the wind was incredibly strong. Cars can indeed be blown away, especially if parked in unstable locations or if they are lightweight models. Ordinary winds won't move them, but with hurricane or tornado speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, vehicles can be flipped or displaced—like during the last storm when several cars were blown into ditches. A car's weight, being over 1 ton, helps, but parking in an open lot is much riskier. It's advisable to choose sheltered spots when parking, such as next to tall buildings or in underground garages, which are safer. Also, make sure the handbrake is tightly engaged to prevent the car from being blown by the wind and causing harm. In short, don’t take risks in strong winds—move to a shelter early.
As a driver who pays close attention to weather conditions year-round, I understand that the risk of wind blowing away a car is generally low, but problems can arise when wind speeds are extremely high. Cars are designed with aerodynamic resistance, and weight plays a crucial role: small cars weigh around one ton, while larger vehicles are heavier and require winds exceeding level 10 on the Beaufort scale to be moved. In extreme cases, such as desert sandstorms or coastal hurricanes, instances of vehicles being blown away or overturned do occur. Parking in low-lying areas or places without shelter increases the danger, so it's advisable to use a weather app on your phone to monitor wind speed warnings. If strong winds are forecasted, parking under trees can be counterproductive, as falling trees may cause even worse damage. Developing the habit of parking in wind-protected areas on windy days can save a lot of trouble in the long run.
