There are, however, dangers to driving this time of year. One of those potential hazards is large hail accompanying a heavy thunderstorm. Hail can seem to develop in a hurry and do a lot of damage to your vehicle. In this post, we want to help drivers in western North Carolina avoid damaging their vehicles and hailstorms if at all possible.
Avoiding vehicle hail damage in Asheville
They say if you don’t like the weather in western North Carolina, wait five minutes for it to change. You have probably experienced a day that seems like it would be sunny and delightful turn stormy in a very short time. However, storms rarely just come out of nowhere, and if you can learn to predict bad weather, it could save you from expensive vehicle repairs. One of the keys is being weather-aware. You don’t have to be a meteorologist to know what days bring the greatest chance for hail. Here are some quick tips:
- Don’t simply look out the window for weather updates. Make learning the weather forecast part of your daily routine. Watch the local weather and be prepared to make adjustments to your schedule.
- Follow local meteorologists on social media for the latest updates. Not only will you get a sense for the predicted weather for the day, but they will often go live on Facebook and Instagram with real-time updates regarding dangerous weather.
- Download Weather apps onto your phone or tablet that alert you to approaching storms. Make sure the alerts are switched on, especially on day storms are predicted.
- Some storm systems and weather setups have a higher chance of producing hail than others. Learn to listen for not only the forecast but the specific potential hazards. High winds can also be a factor that can lead to damage to your vehicle.
- Try to avoid being on the road when there is the greatest chance of thunderstorms. As a general rule, thunderstorms are their strongest during the late afternoon and evening hours. However, this is not always the case, especially western North Carolina.
- If the potential for hail is in the forecast, try to park your vehicle underneath the carport, in a parking garage, or somewhere underneath shelter. Do not, however, park underneath a large tree or something that could become wind-driven storm debris.
What to do When you are Caught in Hail
Sometimes hailstorms are unavoidable. You may find yourself behind the wheel when what starts as heavy, blinding rain transitions to large chunks of fast-falling ice. When you’re on the road, hail can be extremely disconcerting. If you do find yourself driving in hail, one of the most important things you can do is find a safe place to pull over, and ideally, shelter for your vehicle. That may not be possible, so as conditions worsen, you may have to simply endure the onslaught.
If your vehicle is dented and dinged from large hail, The DentFX is here to help. We provide free estimates and will come to you with our paintless dent and ding repair services. Contact us for any of your minor dent and ding repair needs.
