Avoid Being Blinded By The Sun This Winter

Sun glare is one of those weather-related hazards that can sneak up on you, especially when you’re behind the wheel. It’s not a storm or a sudden downpour, but it can be just as dangerous if it catches you off guard.

By definition, sun glare is "intense brightness from the sun when it's at a low angle in the sky, which can really obstruct your view, especially when you're driving,” explains meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser.

That low sun angle is the key reason glare becomes a problem during specific times of day and certain seasons of the year.

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The Details

For most of us, the sun sits low on the horizon twice per day: sunrise and sunset.

“So the most dangerous times of day in terms of sun glare are early morning and late afternoon into the evening, so really commute times” Kaiser says.

(MORE: A Winter Checklist For Your Car)

When the sun is positioned directly in a driver’s line of sight, visibility can drop dramatically in seconds.

While sun glare can happen any time of year, Kaiser says it’s especially problematic during the colder months.

“Sun glare is more dangerous in the fall and winter,” she said. “You see it more prevalently because that is when the sun is at a lower angle in the sky in terms of seasons.”

Snow can make the problem even worse.

“Snow is, you know, typically bright white,” Kaiser notes. “White is almost all of the light being reflected back at you and so that makes it even more difficult to see when the sun is reflecting off the snow.”

(MORE: Do Car Tires Protect Against Lightning Strikes?)

Because it’s so common, sun glare is often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, but Kaiser feels that mindset can be tricky.

“In those few seconds, if you can't see and somebody starts to cross the street or a car merges in front of you, that can end up being a really dangerous situation,” she said.

Important Tips

The good news? Reducing your risk doesn’t require anything complicated.

“Grab a pair of good polarized sunglasses, make sure your windshield is clean on the inside and the outside, make sure you have that wiper fluid stocked up,” Kaiser said.

“You also may want to consider altering your commute times as well as driving slow, leaving space in case you do get blinded by that sun glare,” Kaiser said, adding that extra space gives you “time to react to anything in your surroundings.”

Bottom line: Even if sun glare doesn't feel like a big problem, when the sun is low and your visibility disappears, preparation can make a big difference.