In light of the news about tornadoes and bad storms in the Midwest, we are concerned about making a trip from Georgia to California and return, starting next week and lasting about a month.Has anyone traveled tornado alley during this time period and experienced bad weather?Would we be better to wait until Summer?Thanks from a newbie.Top2MPThor Four Winds 22E

We live in west central Illinois and tornadoes are a threat. But, to me weather is just a part of traveling with an RV and I don't let it influence our travel except for snow and ice and severe cold in winter. Really there are all sorts of bad things that can happen to threaten life and limb. I nearly had a falling limb hit me on a perfectly clear day and wasn't even RVing. My point is that these things happen rather randomly and aren't avoidable beyond reasonable caution. Yes, tornadoes are more likely in some places but still the probability of being hit by one is really small; much less probable than a traffic accident and many other catastrophes. But you have to decide.

Sure there is a concern but if you pay attention to the weather reports you can avoid getting into trouble. Unlike a house with an RV if terrible weather is headed your way you can get out of the way. In 60 years of travel (as a kid with my family and as an adult) I can only think of two times where we were in danger, once from a severe thunderstorm and another time a tornado touchdown and crossed a highway about 10 minutes after we had passed. we should not have traveled that day knowing there were severe storms along our route.

You are far more likely to have a vehicle collision on the highway than be threatened by a tornado. You better stay home. :B

Waiting for summer, in California, is a mistake.All the good campgrounds will already be booked up.Every tourist area will be crowded. You'll still probably find available sites at private RV parks.

beemerphile1 wrote:You are far more likely to have a vehicle collision on the highway than be threatened by a tornado. You better stay home. :BSo true, and I live in tornado ally. Tornadoes don't just come from nowhere. With modern weather forecasting you know days in advance when conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. About 60 people a year die from tornadoes, about 30,000 die in traffic accidents a year.

Serious Weather Concerns for Western Trip | Good Sam Community

kennethwooster
Explorer
Apr 02, 2017
Happy I live in the Texas Panhandle for 72 years. I've only seen 2 or 3 tornadoes all that time. I farmed for 50 years so almost lived outside outside. Yes there are tornadoes but just not that common. Come on and just use caution.
Top2MP
Explorer
Apr 02, 2017
Thanks everyone, for all the great advice. We have decided to cancel this trip and fly (main purpose was to visit family for Easter) and take some other long trips this summer. We have scheduled a short trip this week to get some fishing in at Lake Allatoona, GA.
minnow
Explorer
Apr 01, 2017
MoRambler wrote:
Simply by changing to a more southern route isn't always "better". Just this past week, tornadoes struck the Dallas area (I-20) and south. I've lived in "tornado alley" for 70+ years and actually seen ONE tornado. As the others have said, invest in a good weather alert radio or download a weather app. Hit the road and pay attention.

Yes, we were in Arlington last week and in the span of 3 days, we had 2 different tornado events. The first storm was about 20 miles to the north of the campground we were staying at. The next storm we had a tornado about 5 miles north and another about 3 miles south. More storms for the area were predicted for this weekend.
Wanderlost
Nomad II
Apr 01, 2017
Suggest you check out this thread:

Tornados while RVing
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 31, 2017
If you're down to worrying about weather as your largest concern then you probably have the time to be flexible in travel schedule. Look at the forecast where you're gonna be and when and make the call.
On a side note, we were booking it from Mt Rushmore to northern WI last summer. Left early, hit central MN late afternoon and got chased around through eastern MN by 3 or 4 twisters. It was a little sketchy but made for a memorable drive!
Thom02099
Explorer II
Mar 31, 2017
In the time frame you're talking about, you're probably far more likely to run into a late season snow storm than tornados/severe thunderstorms. Yes, they can happen this time of year, but are more likely later in April and in to May. My daughter got caught in a blizzard in New Mexico last year...in April. Raton Pass was closed and she couldn't get north. Going even further south, like I-20/I-10 as others have suggested, would also lessen this possibility.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2017
We have traveled from south to north thru tornado alley each spring for 6 yrs now. We just watch the weather and time our travel days for good weather. Our weather radio automatically knows where we are -- we do not have to know what county we are in. Brand name is Scorpion.
starcraft69
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
beemerphile1 wrote:
You are far more likely to have a vehicle collision on the highway than be threatened by a tornado. :B

Live Life!!!! Be aware of what is ahead of you for the day and improvise. Most of all Have fun!
MoRambler
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017
Simply by changing to a more southern route isn't always "better". Just this past week, tornadoes struck the Dallas area (I-20) and south. I've lived in "tornado alley" for 70+ years and actually seen ONE tornado. As the others have said, invest in a good weather alert radio or download a weather app. Hit the road and pay attention.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2017
Avoiding individual storms has never been easier. If anything the problem is information overload with so many apps & websites to choose from. If you are in a CG you are stuck. The storm is going to get to you before you can move. If on the road you can plot the track direction & deviate from your course to let it go by. If you can see the thing in your windshield coming over the horizon, you are probably too late to make a meaningful course change.

If it is coming up behind you, you can't outrun it. Again change course at rt angles to storm course. Go a safe distance. Stop & let it go by. Follow behind the storm.