Nottingham Forest were blown off course but it was the strength of Derby's performance rather than the high winds that derailed Joe Kinnear's team.
An excellent first-half display was enough to give Derby the victory they so desperately needed and pulls Forest back into the first division relegation scramble.
Two more goals from Paul Peschisolido boosted Derby and the Canadian striker laid on the other two goals in a thoroughly deserved victory for George Burley's side.
The conditions were certainly difficult and Forest keeper Barry Roche also suffered an embarrassing moment that gifted Derby their second goal.
The ball struck a paper cup blown onto the pitch as Roche tried to clear and his sliced attempt was volleyed into an empty net by Peschisolido.
By then, Derby were already on a high after Peschisolido had exposed a square defence to send Ian Taylor through for a -foot finish from 15 yards that found the bottom right hand corner.
Worse was to come for Forest as Marcus Tudgay put Peschisolido in on the Forest right and the striker's low shot beat Roche inside his left-hand upright.
But Gareth Taylor gave the visitors a lifeline in the 45th minute when he stooped to head a cross from the right in from close range and the travelling fans sensed that the tide was turning when Gareth Williams reduced the arrears in the 67th minute.
Eoin Jess lifted the ball in from the Forest right and although Williams saw his header come back off the bar, he reacted sharply to put in the rebound.
That could have seen Derby buckle but they kept their nerve and there were few other moments of danger from Forest before the match was settled eight minutes from time.
Again it was Peschisolido who was at the heart of the move, crossing from the right for Tudgay to thump a right foot shot past Roche with the aid of a deflection from 15 yards.