Day: May 8, 2026

Running a generator in wet weather is safe when you use the right cover for the job. A generator cover while running must be a purpose-built running cover or safety canopy – not a standard storage cover, tarp, or fitted dust cover.

Products like the GenTent safety canopy and DuroMax running covers are specifically engineered to allow heat and exhaust gases to escape while keeping rain, snow, and wind off the unit. Standard storage covers seal too tightly around the generator, block airflow, trap heat, and create a serious fire and carbon monoxide hazard.

Most portable generators are not waterproof, so they should not be operated in rain, snow, standing water, or other wet conditions without proper protection. Whether portable generators are waterproof is a safety question because moisture can enter outlets, controls, wiring, fuel areas, and engine components. A generator may run outdoors during an outage, but it must stay dry, fully ventilated, and protected by a manufacturer-approved running cover.

Wet operation also increases the risk of electric shock, short circuits, carbon monoxide hazards from poor placement, and equipment damage. Never move a generator into a garage, shed, covered patio, or enclosed space to keep it dry. Use a safe outdoor setup, keep cords and plugs dry, and follow the owner’s manual before running the unit in rainy weather.