Thoughts on driving across country during Tornado season? (best, trip, atlas)
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Hi everyone. The kids and I are planning a cross country drive from MA to CA next week, with pit stops in Wichita, Dallas and Austin. Given the recent tornadic activity across the nation, does anyone have any thoughts, tips etc... on such a drive. I've driven across countyr several times before and love it, but never alone with the kids and never in a year with such unsettled weather. Does anyone else share the same concerns? Thanks.
As someone who grew up in tornado alley in Kansas I wouldn't be too concerned about. We are actually getting toward the tail end of spring tornado season and they usually start becoming less now especially in the southern plains where you are heading. If you do come across one of those violent t-storms with the puffy clouds and greenish colored squall lines, try to avoid it but if you get caught in it, best not to keep driving in it. Pull off to the side near an underpass and keep a sharp eye on the clouds for any swirling rotating clouds and wait till it passes which is usually only a few minutes. If you try to drive through it a tornado can drop right down on top of you without you seeing it ahead of time. But the likelihood of anything like that happening is very small.
No worries. You can see one of those big storms building and rolling across the prairie from 200 miles away. If there's bad weather you'll know it and be able to avoid it. No missing the kind of storms that produce tornadoes. No to mention the plethora of weather warnings.
But your route.....Austin to CA. You're driving I-10? In the summer? Why? oh, the horror.
Absolutely tht most desolate ungodly 2,000 miles you will ever drive. I'll bet after you do it once you won't ever do it again. And if I could convince you, you wouldn't do it the first time either.
I agree with the others, there is nothing to worry about. If there is a storm on the plains you can see it come a long way off and will have plenty of time to find shelter. The odds of seeing anything are basically zero too. It has been an odd spring only in the fact that these storms have hit so early in the year. I would bring a US Atlas with you that has the counties in each state marked so if there are storm warnings around you can check to see if they are in your path or not.
Thanks for the support. Some of my relatives in Kansas have been concerned, and suggested we don't attempt it. But I didn't think of the fact that you can see for miles out there. Yep, I-10. I've done it before, and it is not fun. But, it is the quickest route from Austin to the CA desert where my in-laws are. I'll come back on the 40.
I like I-10. I find the desert beautiful and the driving is easier and more relaxing without all those semi's. And the speed limit is higher. I-40 is just an unpleasant drive, unless you enjoy staring at the rear of semi's and chewing deasel exhaust for 1,000 miles.
"Tornado season" concerns are a non-factor, particularly in mid-June.
I have driven the coast down the I-5, to the I-10 from Seattle, Wa. to Phoenix, Az. it is quite nice! Easy traffic up and down the west coast on I-5. There is a steep hill down the I-10 to Az., for about 5-10 miles or so. If you just go slow and keep to the inner lanes, you should be golden! There is no barrier though, and the truckers like to speed down it, and will honk at you for going slow! But just ignore them, and your trip will be a nice one! I am looking forward to driving to Texas soon, and I am a little worried about that Java Hurricane in Mexico, do you think this will blow on up to Texas? Should I be worried about tornados? Any tips for driving? I know if I encounter heavy winds down the steep hill on the I-10 in that 17 foot Truck, it may be deadly! Any tips for the travelers like me out there? Any Truckers have advice? They seem to wizz by at 80mph with no worry?
I have driven the coast down the I-5, to the I-10 from Seattle, Wa. to Phoenix, Az. it is quite nice! Easy traffic up and down the west coast on I-5. There is a steep hill down the I-10 to Az., for about 5-10 miles or so. If you just go slow and keep to the inner lanes, you should be golden! There is no barrier though, and the truckers like to speed down it, and will honk at you for going slow! But just ignore them, and your trip will be a nice one! I am looking forward to driving to Texas soon, and I am a little worried about that Java Hurricane in Mexico, do you think this will blow on up to Texas? Should I be worried about tornados? Any tips for driving? I know if I encounter heavy winds down the steep hill on the I-10 in that 17 foot Truck, it may be deadly! Any tips for the travelers like me out there? Any Truckers have advice? They seem to wizz by at 80mph with no worry?
Seriously Concerned About Tornados,
Reply-
I can't place that steep hill you're talking about going east on I-10, so I have no advice to offer.
I can't place that steep hill you're talking about going east on I-10, so I have no advice to offer.
I suspect he means the hill from Sunset Point to Black Canyon City on I17
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In the summer? Why? oh, the horror. 
