If you live in the High Desert, you already know the weather’s kind of a menace. Wind that feels like it wants to take your door off. Dry heat that bakes your steering wheel. Then boom, a cold snap overnight. And don’t get me started on the sand.

Thing is, all of that hits your windshield hard. You might not see the damage right away, but trust me, it adds up.

Heat + Cold = Stress Cracks

Out here, it can hit 100 during the day and drop 40 degrees by morning. That kind of temperature swing makes your windshield expand and contract, over and over.

If there’s even a tiny chip in the glass, it’s like a weak spot. That sudden temp shift can snap it into a full-blown crack. You wake up, start your car, turn on the A/C… and just like that, crack.

Sandblasting? Yeah, That’s a Thing

Ever notice your windshield looks hazy when the sun hits it just right? That’s not dirt. It’s micro-scratches. Blown sand acts like a constant sandblaster, especially if you’re behind big trucks on the 15 or driving in open areas near Apple Valley or Hesperia.

Over time, all that sand scuffs up the glass. It doesn’t clean off. It just builds until your night vision gets worse and headlights start glaring. It’s annoying. And unsafe.

The Wind Doesn’t Help Either

The High Desert winds are no joke. They whip debris across roads, knock branches loose, and slam your car doors shut before you’re even ready. If you’ve got a small chip in the glass, a sudden pressure change like a hard door slam can finish the job and crack the whole thing.

Also, flying rocks? Constant. Especially on Bear Valley Road or out near the 395.

Washing Your Windshield? Careful.

Here’s something people mess up: washing a hot windshield with cold water. The glass is already stressed from the heat. Toss cold water on it and the sudden change can crack it, especially if it’s already chipped.

Same goes for automatic car washes in extreme heat. If your windshield’s compromised, it might not make it through the rollers.

What You Can Do

• Fix chips fast. Seriously, the desert doesn’t wait.
• Avoid parking in direct sun all day. If there’s shade, take it.
• Use proper washer fluid. Water alone isn’t enough out here.
• Replace wipers before the rainy season (what little we get).
• Don’t ignore weird glare or hazy spots. That’s a sign of damage.

Bottom line:

The High Desert weather is rough on glass. Heat, sand, wind, cold. It all hits your windshield harder than you think.

Stay ahead of it and your windshield will last longer and keep you safer when it counts.