Will the highway be closed during rain?
3 Answers
Normally, highways are not closed during regular rain unless there are extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or dense fog, which may prompt temporary closures. Here are some precautions for driving in the rain: Slow down: Regardless of the road width or surface conditions, drive slowly in the rain and always pay attention to the distance between vehicles ahead and behind. Be mentally prepared to take emergency measures. Visibility is low in rainy conditions, and the braking distance of vehicles is reduced, so slow down in advance to ensure enough time and space to react safely. Maintain distance: Rainy conditions obstruct visibility, so it's important to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and constantly monitor the distance between cars. Increase the following distance, especially keeping away from large trucks, as they can block your view. Additionally, large trucks can create splashes that may interfere with smaller vehicles, and they can navigate through water that smaller cars might not be able to. Use fog lights in the rain: Make full use of fog lights to enhance driving safety in the rain. If necessary, turn on hazard warning lights to ensure that vehicles behind you are aware of your movements.
Having driven long-haul trucks for eight years, whether highways are closed during rain depends on the specific situation. I remember last summer during a heavy downpour, sections of the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway were directly closed, with water levels reaching halfway up the tires. However, during light rain, traffic usually proceeds normally. The key is visibility—if you can't see the white lines a hundred meters ahead, the road will definitely be closed. Also, watch for water depth on the road; anything over 15 centimeters is particularly dangerous. Before setting off, check the traffic management app—orange warnings mean you should be cautious. Once, I was stuck at an entrance for two hours, though a parallel provincial highway was passable, just adding an extra half-hour. New drivers are advised to call 12122 for the most reliable updates—don’t trust real-time navigation updates. One time, I followed navigation only to find road control ahead.
Just encountered this situation last week! I was driving back from Hangzhou to Shanghai in a heavy downpour when the navigation suddenly alerted me that the G60 was closed. The rain was so intense that even the fastest wiper setting couldn't keep up, and the windshield was completely fogged up. Traffic police were diverting vehicles at the toll station, explaining that an accident had blocked all three lanes. Actually, half an hour before the closure, the highway information board had flashed a 'speed limit 60' warning, but unfortunately, I didn't notice it. Later, I tried taking local roads, only to find the situation even worse—many intersections were so flooded that sedans didn't dare to pass. My advice is to check the 'China Road Network' WeChat official account before heading out in heavy rain; it updates temporary traffic control information 15 minutes earlier than navigation apps. If you see a 'special-grade control' warning, avoid the highway altogether. Taking national highways might be slower, but it's more reliable.
