Forum Discussion

jplante4's avatar
jplante4
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2016

Local Knowledge

Whenever someone asks about New England, I always try to help out. I know there are things about the local area that only people who live there would know.

This is our first year snowbirding and of course, it's a non-typical weather winter. The loose plan was to start in central Florida around Thanksgiving, work our way north to the panhandle in February and around the Gulf to the RGV through March and start headed home in April, going through Missouri to visit the daughter on the way.

The question for the locals (Gulf coast residents in AL, MS, LA and TX) - being an El Niño year, am I in temperature or severe weather trouble on this route on this timeline? I'm booked in campgrounds in the panhandle through mid-February and I'm trying to decide whether to continue west from Pensacola or turn around and come back towards central FL and southern GA.

TIA for any advise.
Jerry & Jeanne
Roads and Routes

4 Replies

  • prichardson's avatar
    prichardson
    Explorer
    Jan 13, 2016
    You should expect weather alternating between days of cold and wet and mild and sunny with the general trend of rising temperature. Your biggest concern may be the occasional heavy morning fog if it occurs on a day you want to travel.
  • tsetsaf's avatar
    tsetsaf
    Explorer III
    Jan 12, 2016
    Severe weather has no season. As noted above just keep an eye out on long range forecasts and adjust as needed. I wouldn't cancel change plans until a week out. Nice thing is that you are mobile and can get out of the way.

    Regarding what to expect... the NWS has no idea what is going to happen 2 days out so I don't put much weight into their "zonal" predictions or "this is how El Nino usually is".
  • campigloo's avatar
    campigloo
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2016
    That time of year in south Louisiana can be a little on the wet side. Temps are usually pretty mild. Azaleas should be in bloom. Weather is usually great for the most part. With ElNino, hurricanes are the most serious threat but forecasting has gotten pretty good. If you get an evacuation advisory, heed it, especially n an RV. But even the canes don't usually appear until the hot summer months.
  • Hiking_Hunter's avatar
    Hiking_Hunter
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2016
    Temperature problems? - No. There's always a slight chance for severe weather, but February shouldn't be a problem. You're more likely to have a problem with severe weather in April in Missouri, but I wouldn't change any plans because of it. Just keep and ear on the weather radio/local TV forecasts and enjoy the trip. Get a good smartphone app that will alert you for the area you are in.

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