The weather systems
| Hazard | What it does | How to handle it |
|---|---|---|
| Blizzard | Snow, wind, low visibility, cold | Shelter in a cabin/gas station or in the car with the heater; wait it out |
| Whiteout | Visibility drops to almost nothing | Do not drive; stop and wait, or follow a known road slowly |
| Night | Colder and darker | Use the car heater, headlights and a flashlight; stay on the road |
| Tornado (EA) | Can throw you, your truck or your haul | Outrun it or hide; do not try to drive through it |
The demo’s 180-second storm
The demo is scripted: the patch notes say the storm stops after 180 seconds and the radio turns off after two repeats. That is not how Early Access weather will necessarily work — it is a demo pacing tool to teach you to shelter. Use the demo to learn the habit: when the wind picks up, get indoors or in the car and wait.
Driving in bad weather
- Slow down. The ice is slippery even in clear weather; a whiteout is worse.
- Do not leave the road. There is no map; off-road in a whiteout is how you get stuck.
- Keep the heater on while you wait, but watch the battery; a dead battery in a blizzard is a serious problem.
- Use the compass. It still works in low visibility; pick a direction and stay consistent.
- If you cannot see, stop. A crash in a whiteout costs more than waiting.
Tornadoes in Early Access
The developers’ “3 weeks before we take Steam by STORM” post introduces tornadoes: “Outrun or hide from them, or you might find yourself ragdolling through the air, losing your truck, or dropping everything you’ve collected along the way.”
That means:
- Do not park next to a tornado. If you see one, drive away or find solid shelter.
- Secure your haul. A tornado can scatter cargo; a trailer is not a guarantee.
- In co-op, decide fast. One player drives, one watches the tornado; do not debate in voice chat while it approaches.
- A mobile base is shelter, not a tank. The camper can keep you warm, but a direct hit can still ruin the run.
Weather checklist
- Before a long drive: full tank, radiator/oil checked, heater working, food and water.
- When the wind rises: find shelter; do not start a new leg.
- At night: stay on the road, use lights, keep the heater on while driving.
- In a whiteout: stop; do not guess the road.
- In a tornado: drive away or hide; do not try to save the cargo first.