Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 45; Flight Crew Type 45
Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather
I was flying solo cross-country and when coming in to land on Runway XXL at ZZZ; winds were 060 at 6 knots; but gusting 16 knots. Came in to land; controlled safe landing up until just before the wheels touched down; where I was blown off to the left of the runway. I pulled up on the yoke as to not catch the front gear in the tall grass and then turned to the right and braked on the side/access road to the left of the runway (to the right of a nearby pond). In terms of human factors; I should have gone around and waited for the winds to die down before making an approach; knowing the winds had the potential to gust up to 16 knots.
C172 Student Pilot reported strong surface wind on landing that resulted in a runway excursion.