Forest never looked like a bottom-three side as they held the Bluebirds to a 0-0 draw at Ninian Park.
Driving rain and a strong wind made playing football very difficult but it was Forest who adapted to the conditions the best, fully deserving a share of the points.
"We worked very hard and are one point better off now than we were this morning," said Forest coach Ian Bowyer.
"If we can win our next home game it can only be good for our morale. The back four were very solid today and Des Walker, considering his age, did very well against Robert Earnshaw and Peter Thorne who are two quality strikers.
"You are never sure of getting a point as all it takes is one kick, and this will not make us over-confident in any way.
"We showed good spirit to come from Cardiff with a point as it is a difficult place to play at any time.
"Although we are a side noted for playing football, we need all aspects of our game to be working to move up the table to safety." There were few moments of incident as the rain and wind made life difficult for the players.
The nearest either side came to a goal was in the 32nd minute when Forest midfielder Gareth Williams almost broke the deadlock. He evaded a half-hearted challenge from Richard Langley and drove a low shot skimming across the turf, but it struck the far upright with City keeper Martyn Margetson beaten.
City's keeper sported a lump over the eye and a grazed cheekbone after colliding with his own defender Danny Gabbidon in the first half.
"It was a bit of a bump, but in those conditions I had to keep my wits about me," he said.
"It was a hairy moment when the ball came off the post but generally we defended very well. In few of the conditions, it was a point gained as it was always difficult playing in that wind.
"They have some decent players in their side and, although we wanted to take all three points, we have to be satisfied with the one.
"It was very difficult judging the flight of the ball in that wind."