(ARA) - Often thought to be reserved for summer,
camping is fast becoming a year-round activity. And while camping trips
are planned with hopes of good weather, severe weather always is a possibility,
but it doesn’t have to diminish the enjoyment of camping. To make the
most of the camping experience, it’s important to consider the weather
before packing up the camper or travel trailer.
There’s no avoiding the weather when camping.
“The United States has the most extreme weather conditions in the world,
second only to China,” says Susan Weaver, of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service. “Weather
can change quickly and is very specific to each area.”
Lightning Does Strike Twice
Severe weather can occur anytime of year and
often with little warning. According to NOAA, lightning is one of the
most underrated severe weather hazards because it usually claims one
or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction.
“You are in danger of lightning if you can hear
thunder,” states Weaver. “Seek shelter inside an enclosed structure;
if that is not possible squat low to the ground, with your feet close
together and your head between your knees.” Maintain minimal contact
with the ground and do not lie flat.
It’s a Twister…
In the Southern states, peak tornado season is
March through May. Northern states are more likely to be hit with tornadoes
during the summer. People know that during a tornado warning they should
move to an interior room with no windows, or in a basement. When camping,
that’s not a viable option. Experts suggest retreating to a ditch or
other low area, get as low to the ground as possible and cover your
head from possible debris. “Do not seek shelter under an overpass; they
act as wind tunnels during a tornado,” Weaver warns.
Author Brad Herzog and wife Amy of Pacific Grove,
Calif., have been camping for nearly eight years. During their first
trip, Brad authored “States of Mind,” a book, which chronicles their
experience. One night, while camping in Mississippi, they encountered
severe weather. “There were late-night tornado warnings and we were
able to track the warnings by keeping tuned to a local station,” Herzog
explains. They were aware of the warnings in advance and took precautions
in case of a tornado strike. Fortunately the storm passed without any
tornados touching down.
Rain, Rain Go Away
Floods and flash floods also are serious threats
to campers. “Most people underestimate the threat of water,” Weaver
explains. “Never attempt to drive through standing water. It only takes
18 to 24 inches to float most vehicles.” According to Weaver, canyons
are particularly prone to flash floods. She recommends not only paying
attention to the weather around you but also upstream. If flooding is
a possibility in your camp area, immediately move to higher ground.
Running Hot and Cold
Not only should campers remain cognizant of possible
severe weather; they also need to be mindful of extreme temperatures
or sudden climate shifts. “Extremely cold temperatures and winds rob
heat from the body,” says Weaver. This, increases your risk for hypothermia
and frostbite. When camping in the winter, pack extra blankets, food
and water to reduce these risks.
Be Prepared
It takes planning to handle any weather Mother
Nature might throw at your camping trip. Simply following some basic
tips can lead to a much more enjoyable camping experience.
* Check the weather before you leave home. A
variety of Web sites offer weather forecasts seven days in advance.
NOAA’s Web site can be found at www.weather.gov.
* Carry a weather radio at all times. Available
at most electronics stores, a weather radio can be programmed to a specific
location and provide life-saving notification of a fast-developing storm.
* Talk to your camping group and develop a contingency
plan should bad weather arise.
When it comes to providing peace of mind and
safety while camping, nothing rivals a reliable power source. Onan,
a leader in power generation products, recently introduced a generator
designed specifically for the smaller, towable RVs. Onan’s Camp Power
is the first installed generator to provide power to the towable RVs
so popular with millions of campers. Now when RVers are caught in severe
weather, they can have the electricity they need to operate communication
devices to monitor the storm and signal for help if necessary.
Brad Herzog knows how reassuring it is to have
reliable power with you when the weather turns bad. “When the weather
is iffy, it’s nice to be able to tune into a news station to know what’s
up.” Since weather can change quickly, it is important to constantly
keep track of it while camping.
In addition to powering weather devices for travelers,
generators can make camping more comfortable by supplying power to air
conditioners to cool the RV or run heaters on cold days.
And rain won’t put a damper on campfire cooking
for campers with Camp Power installed towable. A generator can power
almost any electrical kitchen appliance. Travelers can cook meals in
the microwave or on an electric grill when the weather doesn’t allow
them to build a campfire.
Turning Lemons into Lemonade
Despite all your preparations, sometimes the
weather simply won’t cooperate with your outdoor plans. But that doesn’t
have to ruin the camping experience.
Herzog recalls when he and his wife were traveling
through Kansas and they encountered severe storms. “Other people began
to pull their cars over and panic,” Herzog explains. “We pulled over
to the side of the road made some grilled cheese sandwiches and relaxed
while the storm passed.”
“The great thing about being in an RV is if you
don’t feel that the weather is conducive to driving, you can pull over
and you have your house with you. With powerful generators in your RVs,
you can be anywhere and have the conveniences of home,” says Herzog.
Stay Safe
With planning and preparation, it’s possible
to camp year round in almost all kinds of weather. Checking the weather
forecast regularly, listening to a weather radio and knowing what your
group is going to do in the event of bad weather allows campers to have
a safe and fun trip anytime of year.
To get up to the minute weather related information,
log on to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/. To learn more about RVing and Camp
Power, check out www.funroads.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
