How to Properly Prepare for Extreme Weather When Traveling America
Vacationing in America is extremely popular, thanks to the fact that each state and even cities have their own unique things to do and sights to see. One thing that holds many tourists back, however, is the fact that some areas can be prone to extreme weather conditions. For example, North America can play host to some significantly high temperatures and is known for tornadoes, whereas the six states comprising New England in the northeast present some of the snowiest conditions in the world.
This often goes hand in hand with the fact that plenty of areas across the US are still largely untouched, so if you are planning on a road trip or going hiking or camping, there may not be many people around or facilities available to help in extreme circumstances. With this in mind, here is some essential information to know when preparing for severe weather while traveling America.
Table of Contents
Why visit America?
Whether you are US-born and want to travel the country or you are coming from abroad, you can choose from so many different destinations to create your dream holiday. From hiking mountains to national parks and more, visiting family-friendly attractions, and even stopping by during seasonal periods to get a true taste of the heart of the USA, the opportunities are almost endless.
If you want to visit beautiful beaches, there are plenty dotted across California, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, and more; if you want to hike everything from mountainous terrain to cliffs, forests, or even volcanoes, there are numerous national parks, forests, and lakes with trails for people of all experience levels; and family vacations can span everything from visiting Disneyland to the Grand Canyon. Visitors with all kinds of experiences in mind will truly be spoiled for choice.
Essential information to get ready for a US holiday
Of course, you will need to get ready for a US holiday just the same as you would for a vacation anywhere else in the world. This will include things like packing light, ensuring you don’t forget the small things like your contact lenses or your favorite affordable cologne for men, and having all of the correct travel documentation you need in order and to hand. To dial it back just a little, the first thing to do when properly preparing for extreme weather when traveling America is research.
1. Start by understanding what you’ll need to pack for your destination
The type of vacation you are taking will often dictate the essentials, as relaxing on the beach will require items like towels, whereas enjoying nature may call for small pieces of safety equipment, more specific clothing choices, and even a compact medical pack. Extreme weather in the US isn’t only a concern for those who are going to be in specific areas, so it can be worthwhile to be at least somewhat prepared even if you think your vacation will run smoothly (even if this means taking extra sunscreen or packing reusable water bottles).
If you are going to be exploring off the beaten track or visiting lesser-known attractions, it can be worthwhile to ensure you have extra water and food, carry a list of emergency numbers for the area, and pack extra layers of clothing or a shade source if you know it may get particularly cold or hot.
The top travel essentials for cold weather include:
- Thermal clothing
- Strong, waterproof outerwear and footwear
- A thermal flask
- A first-aid kit
- A hat and gloves
- Breathable socks
- A travel blanket and pillow
The top travel essentials for hot weather include:
- A lightweight day bag for excursions
- Lightweight clothing
- High-factor sunscreen
- A sun hat
- A hand fan
- Bug repellent spray
2. Consider general weather and environmental conditions
Various destinations will have their own inclement weather and unique environmental risks, so it will pay to install travel-friendly weather apps that have the ability to give general forecasts and real-time weather alerts for the wider destination, the routes you may choose to take, and potentially for specific attractions. Some will go into detail on how to cope during a particular weather event, provide maps, offer notifications based on global or local news events that may affect travel, or even give information on local shelters and amenities.
Of course, it will be worthwhile to research the best times of year to visit your destination. For example, experts suggest that destinations in northern USA are better to visit between May and June, whereas southern USA can be more attractive in March through May or September through November. This is typically because these months have the most comfortable seasonal temperatures, are less busy than peak times, and can have some of the most stunning natural scenery.
Extreme weather conditions like tornadoes can occur across America throughout the year, but heat and cold will be more prevalent during the summer and winter. If you are going to be camping or hiking, remember that mountains and high-elevation deserts (even those known for extreme heat) can significantly cool down at night, so you should always pack something warm to be prepared for any event.
3. Avoid compiling a strict itinerary
This may not feel like a tip to counter extreme weather conditions, but a common mistake that many travelers make is overplanning their days. While any trip can be unpredictable and planning a strict itinerary that doesn’t leave room for unplanned events can end up causing unwanted issues, not considering that you may need to find rest areas during heavy rain or strong sun or storm shelters in the event of a tornado or hurricane can actually be dangerous.
4. Know what to do during extreme weather events
If there’s a chance that severe weather can occur, knowledge is going to be key to traveling safely. In the event of an active tornado threat, it is advised to go to the lowest floor if you are in a building and avoid glass windows. Structures built with wooden frames or cinder blocks will be preferable, but avoid those that have long roofs. Certain locations, such as airport terminals and malls, will typically have storm shelters built, as well as plenty of truck stops if you are on the road. Always get to the nearest rest stop and pull over as soon as possible if you’re driving. Low ground, such as ditches or ravines, can offer protection against high winds and flying debris.
During hurricanes and intense storms, advice is given for the opposite end of the scale, and you should be searching for high ground instead. You should still avoid windows, but also stay away from trees and tall metal structures. If you are driving and come across a flooded road, always turn back or find an alternative route, as water depth can be deceptive.
In extreme heat, wear loose-fitting clothing, try to stay in the shade, drink plenty of fluids, keep skin wet and cool by using spray bottles and hand fans, and be aware of overexertion.
If you find yourself stuck in a blizzard while on the road, either drive slowly until you can find a rest stop or a motel or hotel to wait out the worst of it. If you can’t get somewhere safe, however, the National Weather Service advises that vehicles should only be run for around 10 minutes per hour and that windows should be opened to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. It can be a good idea to keep your interior dome light on or make your vehicle stand out in some way to alert other drivers of your presence or flag down any emergency service responders that may be on call.
Is a vacation to America worthwhile considering weather events?
While it’s no secret that America can play host to a number of extreme weather events, this shouldn’t stop you from having the vacation of a lifetime. All of the above tips are easy to implement, and in a day and age where technology is at its finest, there are plenty of apps and advanced warning systems in place that can help you to properly prepare for your trip and have real-time access to support while you’re out and about.
America has some of the most stunning destinations, the most well-equipped tourist attractions, and a rich and vibrant culture that is not to be missed, so don’t let potential weather issues put you off.
3 Best eSim Cards for the United States
26 Best Places to Vacation with Grandkids in the United States
Get Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).
Book Flights
I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.
Book a Place to Stay
I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.
If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO or Whimstay for last-minute deals. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.
Choose Activities and Tours
To find great activities in any area, I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions, I always check CityPass, GetOut, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.
When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour, I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.
Rent a Car or Get a Lyft
Often, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars. Do not take Uber in 3rd world countries.
Save Money on Gas
Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.
Get a Visa
I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.
Travel Printables
If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!
