Storms and Tornados

The low/no service issue is important and there are campgrounds where this is a problem. We have a weather radio that also can be cranked to keep us up to date and that helps.

Where there’s a good cell service signal you can also track storms using the interactive VIPIR radar of local television stations. Make sure your smart phone has its location turned on so you can see where you are on the VIPIR map.

colliehauler wrote:
I'm I missing something here? I receive weather alerts on my phone which uses GPS to track what area I'm in.

so do we but what happens when you're in a 'no service' area?

colliehauler wrote:
I'm I missing something here? I receive weather alerts on my phone which uses GPS to track what area I'm in.

You'll only get the weather alerts on your phone if you have a signal. Many remote campgrounds (NF, COE, dispersed sites, and even some NP) don't have good, or sometimes any, cellular reception, but will still be able to receive weather alerts by radio broadcasts. It's good to have both.

If you have a Rand Mcnally road atlas the county's are on the maps. The one in front of me they are a bold print.

I'm I missing something here? I receive weather alerts on my phone which uses GPS to track what area I'm in.

Reader1 wrote:

Crowe wrote:
Also, know what county you are in. Many areas, if not most, post warnings by county.

That is the best advice! We have been in areas where we do not know the county and there are weather watches, never warnings so far.

However....don't rely on technology alone. You could be an area with spotty (or no) service when you arrive, never mind if a storm is approaching.

Carry a good old fashioned map book. I've always had a Rand McNally map book of the USA in my tow vehicle as a backup. It will show the counties and their borders. Also, train yourself to be an observer. Most counties do have border marker signs when you're entering a new county, some will also have a "leaving" sign on their side of the "enter" sign of the other county.

I always carry a battery operated weather radio, but I don't bother setting the county. If the radio alerts, I look at the radar on my phone and decide if I need to check further or not.

I am not saying that is the best, and it is definitely not for everyone, but it works for me.

Crowe wrote:
Also, know what county you are in. Many areas, if not most, post warnings by county.

That is the best advice! We have been in areas where we do not know the county and there are weather watches, never warnings so far.

I always google what county is “town name” in? Quick and easy. If you have an iPhone you can probably ask Siri.

Matt_Colie wrote:
An honest question:

How does a traveling person find out what county he is in at the moment?

In our coach, who some ever is navigator has a screen of Street Atlas available that can instantly answer this question, but SA is seven years old and well due to fail any day now.

I don't think the GPS can answer this easily.

Matt

That is a good question and I agree that a lot of GPS systems don't answer it. You can search on your cell phone by "what county is Xtown in". Is there an update available for your system?