lanerd wrote:
Ironically, we came through (going west) I-10 between Tucson and Casa Grande that very morning around 10am. The weather was perfect....without even a breeze. We stopped in Casa Grande and had breakfast at the Crackle Barrel. I couldn't find the "time" of this accident, but if it happened earlier than when we came through, I didn't see any evidence of it. Must have happened afterwards.
Hank85713 wrote:
the I10 route is no worse tan any other. Lots scare talk here, if and its a big IF you are aware of what you are doing and going then the I10 corridor is no worse than any other in the country. What is wrong is that you get folks trying to impose speed limits on others and then there are issues. 65 in the middle lane of 3 in a 75 zone! get your butts over to the right lane where they are supposed to be. Also if passing a vehicle PASS it then get out of the way. Really nothing more than courtesy on the highway. As to the storms they happen anywhere. Dust storms happen on I10 over in and by New Mexico. Bad storms happen on I40 up in the winslow, williams flagstaff areas also. Crossing from NM to AZ by gallup last summer we were in a mud storm! Lotsa dirt in the air and its trying to rain. Went ot the field when stationed in ok and got the same thing. A mud storm. I drive up to east la (phx) frequently because unfortunately my daughter lives there. biggest headache are those I describe above, and I am not talking about the storms. So dont be afraid to drive in this area, just be aware of what you are doing and what is going on around you. These storms do appear suddenly but you really get to see them coming. It takes time for the wind to pick up and carry that much dust it is not instantaneous as indicated. In all the times Iv e been to east la only got caught 1 time in a dust storm, lotsa wind but only 1 for real storm. Rain can be just as bad when we have them. drive wisely and aware at ALL times.
Hank85713 wrote:
These storms do appear suddenly but you really get to see them coming. It takes time for the wind to pick up and carry that much dust it is not instantaneous as indicated.
2gypsies wrote:Thank you.......that route was on our plans for the near future.....we'll be sure to skirt around that area and watch weather reports closely :) This is why I love the internet and this forum in particular :) :)
The corridor between north Tucson and Casa Grande is noted for dust storms. They happen every year and we have been in a couple. They are the scariest thing you can imagine. The times we were in one the dust came immediately without warning. There is no way you can just pull off the highway. You can't see one foot in front of you when it happens. You cannot see it coming. You just cross your fingers that the drivers behind you are stopping, also. The storms we were in happened in the fall, winter and spring. We're out of here in summer but they happen in summer, too. The area is flat and farming country.
These 'dust storms' are very different from the 'haboob' dust storms. With the 'haboob' you can actually see a tall wall of dust approaching from a distance and with those you do have a chance to get off the highway.
We winter in the Tucson area and our daughter lives in the Phoenix area so we drive the stretch often. Now if there's a slight breeze we take an alternate route which is longer but much safer. From Tucson we take 79 through Florence and into Apache Junction - east of Phoenix. It's a very scenic route with minimal traffic - and no dust.
Some folks recommend RV parks in Casa Grande but we would never stay there for exactly these reasons. Plus, it's very unhealthy to be in that dust.
We would advise everyone who drives this area to get a good weather report on wind speed just before your drive if you're approaching the area between north Tucson and Casa Grande along I-10. Be safe out there!
