You'll want to keep an eye on when that warning signal pops up for incoming storms, since timing is crucial here. During the first phase storms flash a distinct red hazard indicator about 3 seconds before conditions deteriorate, giving you just enough time to ready your gear. The key is watching your hazard protection readouts - when they start fluctuating rapidly, that's your signal to take cover within the next 5-7 seconds.

Position yourself near caves or structures during the warning phase, as extreme wind events will drain protection roughly 25% faster than standard storms. Something useful to remember is that sentinel activity actually decreases by about 60% during peak storm conditions (at least from experience), making these moments perfect for quick resource gathering if you're properly equipped. When the "extreme wind event detected" warning appears, you've got exactly 10 seconds to get to safety before environmental damage kicks in at full force.

The storm intensity builds in clear stages - first mild interference with scanning, then equipment disruption, and finally full hazard protection drain. Each phase transition is marked by distinct visual distortions in the atmosphere, starting with light ripples that progressively intensify into those signature spiral patterns. Your best damage windows are actually right as storms begin to form, when hazard protection drain is still minimal but visibility hasn't been completely compromised yet.