LAKE COUNTY — Caltrans District 1, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration”s National Weather Service in Eureka and the Humboldt Area California Highway Patrol remind motorists that fall and winter bring the threat of hail showers to Northwest California.
“Weather conditions can change quickly on the north coast. Most winter accidents are the result of driving too fast for the conditions. Slow down, use your seat belt and arrive safely to your destination,” Charlie Fielder, Caltrans District 1 director, said.
In its second year, the “Watch for Hail” campaign will include hail event notifications using social media and news alerts, the display of real-time hail weather event information on Caltrans District 1 highway electronic message signs and the use of posters with driving tips displayed.
“Hail showers occur most often in the winter and early spring, but can occur in the fall as well,” Nancy Dean, of the National Weather Service in Eureka, said. “Motorists should be on the lookout for dark, stormy clouds ahead and/or very heavy rainfall. Both can indicate the potential for small hail on the road just ahead.”
Some hail weather event driver safety tips include: Dark clouds signal potential for hail, slow down and use seatbelts. Small hail will make roads icy. Turn on headlights, turn off cruise control, don”t panic if you begin to slide on a hail covered roadway, slowly let off the gas pedal and don”t slam on the breaks or make any sudden steering adjustments.
For information, visit www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/hail/.
