Should you open the windows during a tornado? Stand under a tree during a thunderstorm? We’re setting the record straight about some common weather myths to keep you safe.
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Myth #1: High-beam headlights help you see better when driving in fog
You’re driving through fog that would make Stephen King do a double-take, so you turn up your headlights to the max, thinking it will help you better navigate the road. After all, more light is always a good thing, and those strong headlights will probably cut through all the haziness, right? Wrong.
According to the NWS, using high-beam headlights in fog, especially when it’s dense, causes glare. This makes it harder to see what’s ahead of you on the road. And that’s the last thing you need, since driving in fog is deadly. The U.S. Department of Transportation says low visibility conditions cause higher speed variance (the difference in speeds between vehicles), which may lead the driver in front of you to stop short or the one next to you to change lanes abruptly and cut you off. Those driving situations can, in turn, increase your risk of getting into an accident. More than 38,700 vehicle crashes occur in fog each year, resulting in more than 600 people killed and 16,300 people injured.
What to do instead: To stay safe in foggy conditions, the NWS advises using your low-beam headlights. This will also activate your taillights, which will provide visibility to the car behind you. And to ensure you don’t rear-end anyone, stay at a safe distance from the car in front of you.
If the fog is really intense, pull into a safe location such as a parking lot or off to the side of the road with your hazard lights on. Wait it out until the fog has lifted or visibility improves.
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Myth #2: Open your windows during a tornado to equalize air pressure and minimize damage
This common myth about how to prepare for a tornado entails opening your home’s windows—yes, during the actual tornado. Supposedly, open windows equalize barometric pressure (the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere) before the tornado hits, minimizing potential damage to your house. It sounds super scientific … but it’s just not true, says Merrill.
“The barometric pressure in your house will be the same as what it is outside, regardless of whether you open the windows or not,” says Merrill. Beyond that, opening the windows can actually put you in a dangerous situation. “You can get injured because you’re more susceptible to flying debris that can come through the window,” he explains.
What to do instead: Avoid being anywhere near windows during a tornado. Merrill says to seek shelter in an enclosed room free of windows, such as a basement, bathroom or closet. “If you don’t have a windowless room, find a place where you’re not in the way of any flying debris, like getting under the bed,” he says. “And keep your head face down to protect yourself.”
Everyone should memorize this tidbit about tornado safety, by the way, even if you don’t live in Tornado Alley in the Central Plains. That’s because tornadoes can hit anywhere, in all 50 states.
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Myth #3: The safest place to stand during an earthquake is under a doorway
This myth about earthquake safety was once taught in schools throughout the country—from the 1940s through 1970s, to be exact. But things changed in the late ’80s, when experts realized that those doorways were definitely not the safest places to protect yourself when the ground and everything around you started shaking.
“In the 19th and 20th centuries, the infrastructure of doors and doorways was stronger—doors were bigger, and frames were higher,” says Costa. “But the way houses are built now is different from the past, different materials are used, and door frames don’t have the same reinforcement.” As a result, a doorway, along with a ceiling and even walls, can collapse during an earthquake.
What to do instead: If you’re inside during an earthquake, find a location where you can take cover (for example, under a table), and “drop, cover and hold on.” This means dropping to your hands and knees, covering your head and neck with your arms, and if you’re under a piece of furniture, holding on and being ready to move when it moves.
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Myth #4: It’s safe to go out during a hurricane once it calms down
The rain has mostly stopped. You can see some blue in the sky. There’s even some sunshine peeking out from behind the clouds. Surely you can go check on your mom across town, let the kids out after a day of being cooped up, or do some yard cleanup. Not so fast. You’re actually in the eye of the storm—which means you’re literally in the middle of a swirling hurricane, and it’s about to get bad again.
Located outside of the eye is something called the eye wall, which is the part of the hurricane that brings the strongest winds and a storm surge, and it can come with very little advance notice. “If you’re outside in the eye, chances are within 30 minutes there’s going to be extreme wind and the heaviest rain,” Merrill says.
What to do instead: No matter how quiet and nice it might get during a hurricane, stay put indoors. Continue to take refuge in an interior room, away from windows, skylights and glass doors, and follow instructions from your local officials. They’ll let you know when the storm has officially passed.
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Myth #5: A car’s tires protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground
The belief that a car’s rubber tires protect you from a strike of lightning is an oft-repeated weather myth. The thing is, if you’re in a car while it’s lightning, the vehicle will help safeguard you … but it’s not because of the tires. The shielding comes from the top down, not the bottom up.
According to the National Lighting Safety Council, lightning usually strikes either the car’s antenna or along the roofline. It then passes through the outer metal shell of a hard-topped car, through or over the tires and to the ground. Although each lightning strike is different, it’s common to have damage to the antenna, electrical system, rear windshield and, yes, tires.
What to do instead: In the event you’re in your car during a lightning storm, you’ll want to pull the car into a sturdy sheltered area like an enclosed garage that covers your car as much as possible. (Do not park under trees, which are tall, pointed objects that attract lightning!) If that’s not available, find a parking lot or pull off to the shoulder of the road, keeping only your hazard lights on. Turn off the car, close your windows and keep your hands on your lap to avoid touching any of the vehicle’s parts that could conduct electricity.
If lightning does strike the vehicle you are in, wait 30 minutes to get out of the car because it takes that long for the charge to be grounded. “If you don’t wait 30 minutes,” Merrill warns, “you risk getting severely shocked by the current flowing through the outer perimeter of your car.”
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Myth #6: Flash floods occur only near rivers and streams
The NWS defines flash flooding as flooding that begins within three to six hours of a heavy rainfall. Flooding can happen for reasons besides torrential rain, including when snow melts quickly or when dams or levees break. The main reason why people may believe you can only have flash flooding near rivers and streams is because these areas already contain a massive amount of water. If heavy rain adds to it, they can overflow (like with the Texas Hill Country floods), and the heavier amounts of water travel at a quicker speed.
But flash floods can occur anywhere, even in densely populated urban areas. In fact, the NWS says cities are prone to flooding in a short amount of time, and sometimes it can be even more severe here, since excessive water can overwhelm urban drainage systems. Take New York City in July 2025, for example. A drenching downfall caused some cars and trucks to become submerged in up to two feet of water, as well as subway and commuter rail platforms to flood. And there are similar stories that span from Washington, D.C., to Kentucky to Arizona.
What to do instead: Regardless of the reason for the flooding, take the threat seriously. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that in the U.S., floods kill more people annually than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning. Be on alert, and heed advice from weather reports, weather apps and NOAA weather radio, suggests Merrill. “Always have three ways to get weather alerts, and make sure your cellphone is fully charged or keep it plugged into the car’s outlet,” he says.
If you are caught outdoors during flooding, go to higher ground; the higher the elevation spot, the better. “This can be the highest level of your house if it’s above ground level, or go outside and climb the hillside around your house,” says Merrill. Lastly, he says if water is rapidly building around your car, climb onto the roof of your car and call from your cellphone for help.
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Myth #7: If you shelter in the southwestern part of your house during a tornado, you’re more likely to survive
This may seem random, but there’s a logical reason for this myth: Since most tornadoes move from southwest to northeast, more debris will fly in and be deposited on the northeast side of your house rather than the southwest side, says Merrill. So the thought is that if you’re in the southwestern part of your house, the debris will fly away from you and you’ll be fine.
Unfortunately, this isn’t true. The main reason? Tornadoes are circular and don’t move in a straight line. And although most tornadoes move from southwest to northeast, their winds can come from any direction. “The truth is, you need to be in the safest part of your house regardless of where you are,” Merrill says. “The amount of debris isn’t going to be any different whether it’s in the southwestern, southeastern, northwestern or northeastern part.”
What to do instead: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the safest place to take shelter in your home is the lowest floor, particularly the interior floor of the basement, away from windows. Don’t have a basement? Find another windowless room such as a bathroom, closet or center hallway. For additional protection, get under something sturdy, such as a heavy table or workbench, and if possible, cover yourself with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress.
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Myth #8: Taping your windows shut with tape during a hurricane protects your home
A hurricane is coming, and you’ve heard taping your windows in the form of a big X will prevent them from breaking. If this is your plan, you’ll want to rethink it. Tape isn’t going to do anything to protect a window from shattering during a hurricane, says Merrill. It’s simply not a strong enough reinforcement against winds of 74 mph or higher.
According to research from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), flying debris from high winds can penetrate windows even if they’re taped. Rather than wasting your time making those big X’s, go straight to plywood if you don’t have other hurricane-prep precautions in place.
What to do instead: Prep for a hurricane as far ahead as possible—like, well before hurricane season hits. For the best protection, the IBHS recommends installing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows. As a last resort, you can hammer plywood over your windows.
Merrill notes that this is a viable option because there’s usually more lead time ahead of a hurricane than for any other natural disaster. “If there’s a threat of a hurricane, you’ll have several days advance notice, so there’s time to nail plywood shutters over your windows,” says Merrill.
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Myth #9: You can drive safely through floodwaters if you have a large truck or SUV
They’re huge. They’re sturdy. And they’re high enough off the ground that they can stand up to flooded roads. It seems logical for those behemoths of vehicles—only it’s not true.
“There’s a myth large cars are stronger and can do anything, but they can get stuck in floodwater and get swept away too—even firetrucks get under water,” notes Costa. “The problem is you don’t know how fast that water is propagating, and you can easily underestimate the power the water can have.”
The NWS reports many flood-related deaths, including from drowning, occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater. It takes only 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, and two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
What to do instead: If you’re in your car and get stuck in flooding, your best option is to call 911 and wait for a rescue team. “Don’t try to swim because you may get swept away, and you can get stuck if there’s floating debris,” says Costa. “Electrical power lines could also be down, and you could be electrocuted in the water.”
But if you end up in a car that’s sinking under water, that’s a different story. Then you have to get out—and you have only seconds before the pressure becomes too massive to open the doors or windows. So make sure to open your windows if your car is in danger of sinking.
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Myth #10: If you’re outside during a tornado, an overpass is the safest place to be
This myth can be traced back to 1991, when a Kansas TV news crew shot a tornado video while on the Kansas highway Interstate 35. In that video, the cameraman and his driver stopped under an overpass when they thought the tornado was catching up to them. They lived through it—but only because the tornado passed south of them and didn’t directly strike the overpass.
After people saw the news team survive on the many video replays, viewers assumed it was a smart thing to do, and that incorrect assumption has put countless people in danger. Essentially, an overpass creates a wind tunnel, and the intense winds could carry you a great distance—even half a mile or more away, according to the Tornado Project.
“It’s not safe to be under a bridge or an overpass during a tornado,” says Merrill. “Winds may be stronger and actually accelerate, so it’s not going to protect you. And you should not attempt to outrun a tornado.”
What to do instead: If you’re outside during a tornado, your best bet is to try to get to a building and an enclosed interior room. If you can’t, look for a ditch or low spot, and assume a crouched position, covering your head with your hands and arms for protection. “The lower to the ground you are, the less likely you’ll get hit with as much debris,” Merrill explains.
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Myth #11: If you’re out in a thunderstorm with lightning, seek shelter under a tree
Being outside in a storm with lightning isn’t safe—period. The reality is, if you’re outside, lightning can strike anywhere, including a tall tree. “People think seeking shelter under a tree is safe because the lightning won’t see them and they get shielded from the rain by the leaves of the trees,” says Merrill. But, as noted earlier, trees attract lightning, and standing under a tree during a storm is the second leading cause of lightning deaths, according to the CDC.
And it’s not just being struck by lightning that you have to worry about here. “If lightning does strike a tree,” says Merrill, “there’s a chance the ‘ground charge’ will spread out from the tree in all directions.” He cites an example of two men in Colorado who died by lightning strike while under a tree. “The coroner came to the conclusion that electricity from a lightning bolt struck a tree, traveled through and into the ground, and the conductivity through the ground likely was the reason for their deaths.”
What to do instead: Find shelter inside. If there’s no visible safe place, seek shelter in a very low spot, like a ditch or a culvert, says Merrill. But don’t lie flat on the ground; this makes you more vulnerable because lightning generates potentially deadly electrical currents along the ground in all directions. By lying down, you’re providing more potential points on your body to hit. Instead, crouch down in a ball-like position with your feet together. Squat low, tuck your head, and cover your ears so you have minimal contact with the ground.
If you’re in a dense forest and you can’t get to an open area without trees, Merrill suggests seeking shelter near the shortest tree or bush and crouching down there.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on weather myths, Marcy Lovitch tapped her experience as a longtime journalist and fact-checker with 20-plus years of experience researching for national publications including Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Glamour, Seventeen, Real Simple, Forbes and InStyle magazines. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather in State College, Pennsylvania; phone interview, September 2025
- Milla Nóbrega de Menezes Costa, PhD, meteorologist and assistant professor in meteorology at Florida Institute of Technology; phone interview, September 2025
- National Weather Service: “Summary of Natural Hazard Statistics for 2024 in the United States”
- U.S. Department of Transportation: “Low visibility”
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: “Severe Weather 101 – Tornadoes”
- Ready.gov: “Earthquakes”
- University of Illinois Extension: “Eye of the Hurricane”
- National Lighting Safety Council: “Lightning and Cars”
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association: “Severe Weather 101: Flood Basics”
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Safety Guidelines: During a Tornado”
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association: “Should I tape my windows when a hurricane threatens?”
- National Weather Service: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”
- Tornado Project: “Myths and Common Misconceptions About Tornadoes”
