5 Tips for Avoiding Extreme Weather While RVing
TL;DR: RVing in varied climates can be thrilling yet risky. Check forecasts, avoid peak seasons for extreme weather, plan for emergencies, and know when to evacuate during tornado watches or warnings. Safety first for enjoyable family vacations!
One of the best ways to spend a family vacation is by camping in an RV. After all, combining a vacation home and a vehicle makes for a rather convenient road trip mobile, complete with a full kitchen and a bathroom. But what does one do in case of inclement weather experienced while traveling? After all, there seem to be extreme weather possibilities in most of the US states, including forest fires in the west, tornadoes across the Midwestern states, extreme snow in the northern states, extreme heat and flash floods in the southwest, hurricanes in the south, and severe thunderstorms almost everywhere during the warmer months. Traveling to an area where you are unfamiliar with the weather may seem risky. However, if you keep these simple considerations in mind, you can successfully plan a fun and safe getaway for the entire family to enjoy.
1. Be aware of forecasts before and during your trip.
This seems fairly self-explanatory, but sometimes the most simple considerations can be completely forgotten when excitedly planning for a trip. Checking the weather before even leaving for a trip can help you to have an idea of what you may experience over the next few days. If it all looks sunny and clear, then you are in luck. If you see any potential warnings or thunderstorms coming up, make a mental note to keep an eye on the weather throughout your trip.Hurricanes are typically predicted days ahead of time and should be easy to avoid. If you know a hurricane is headed to an area where you plan to vacation, it may be best to go somewhere else and return when the weather is better.In addition, be sure to check the weather on the daily in case anything changes. Certain apps can update you if a storm is approaching so that you know ahead of time. In an area where you are not entirely familiar with the weather, it is better to over-prepare than to be surprised by an incoming storm.
2. Avoid areas with inclement weather in peak season.
To avoid dangerous weather altogether, it is best to avoid areas with extreme weather during their bad weather seasons. For instance, spring is tornado season across Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Avoiding traveling to these states in the spring seems like the safest option. Hurricanes are most extreme in Florida, Louisiana and east Texas, so avoiding these states during the summer and fall may be your safest option. During forest fire season out west, keep an eye on the current fires and their paths/containment when planning trips.
3. Have a plan in case of severe weather.
Avoiding certain areas altogether may not be entirely possible. If this is the case, have an emergency plan in place prior to heading out for your vacation. Extreme weather is usually more of a possibility than a definite, so your chances of missing a storm are high. Having a plan will serve to set you up for success in case the worst should happen. This plan can be as simple as moving somewhere safe and indoors if a storm strikes. You may also want to plan to evacuate the entire area if conditions are bad enough. Whatever your plan is, make sure all family members know of it. It is best to ensure that everyone is on board before inclement weather even occurs.
4. Evacuate or hunker down during a “watch.”
During tornado season, knowing the difference between a warning and a watch is important. A watch is when a tornado is possible, but none have been sighted yet. These are often issued during the correct conditions for a storm in counties or areas where storms are frequent. A warning means that a tornado has been sighted and could potentially pass through your area.When a tornado watch has been issued, you can then choose to either evacuate or stay and wait out the storm. Playing the situation by ear may be your best bet if you don’t want to cancel your trip early. However, the safest option may be to move outside of the danger zone if a tornado watch has been issued. Having to leave your campground or Harvest Host location early would be sad, but it may be better than encountering dangerous weather. Whatever you choose, be sure to keep a close eye on the weather in case it worsens.
5. Move to a safer area during a “warning.”
If you decide to stay after a watch has occurred, and a warning is issued, you must then choose to evacuate or move somewhere safer. Evacuation to an area outside of the tornado range may be the safest option. However, sometimes when a warning is issued, there is not enough time to evacuate.If this is the case, move somewhere safe indoors. Perhaps there are shelters nearby where you and your family could wait. If you are watching the weather and have planned accordingly, this situation is less likely. Still, it is best to have a few different plans and options if you are planning to vacation somewhere where storms are frequent. Being in an RV during dangerous or even deadly weather does not sound fun. Only you know what is best for you and your family, and planning ahead can reduce the chances of surprise storms arising. All things considered, having a home on wheels is somewhat convenient in these situations because when a storm is brewing, you can simply gather your things and drive away. Missing out on your vacation would be a bummer, but it may sometimes be the safest decision. Watching the weather and having an emergency plan is very important. Plan accordingly to keep your family vacations safe, fun, and disaster-free. Have you ever endured a dangerous storm during inclement weather? What was your experience? Do you have any tips to add for RVing during extreme weather? Feel free to share your tips and experiences below!