High Winds in New Mexico

[Sheila1947]

High wind warnings in AZ and NM today.  We traveled slowly to Albequerque.  Saw a fiver overturned across the WB lanes near Gallup, maybe.  Can't remember.  Everyone appeared to be OK.

Sheila

 

[JohnNW]

We spent an extra night at the Route 66 Indian Casino RV parking lot one time on our way to Texas.  Very high winds all through that area.  Too bad we don't gamble and can't eat at the buffet anymore.  Great separate FREE parking for RV's and good fuel prices at the fuel station.  We always stop for fuel and either lunch break or free overnight.  Beats WalMart.

 

[Kevin Means]

We just went through three days of Santa Ana winds here in SoCal. Anyone who's ever lived in SoCal knows what they can be like - 7% humidity, 90+ degree temps and sustained winds in excess of 50 mph with stronger gusts. Last Thursday, at a place called Sill Hill about 20 miles N/E of us, they recorded a wind gust of 101 MPH. The news reported that this was the first April Santa Ana - ever. They were showing video of semi-trucks and travel-trailers laying on their sides everywhere. They finally closed I-8 over the mountains for several hours, even to cars, which is almost unheard of without snow. Scary stuff those winds.

 

[flytyer1]

Hello:
We just spent two days at Sand Dunes NP and the winds yesterday were strong enough for us to close the slide all afternoon--too windy to be out.  We had planned on two days in NM at Taos, but decided to head home (Pueblo West, CO) due to the predicted high winds in northern NM.  Guess it was a good decision.  Thanks for the update and to all--please be safe!
Jerry H

 

[kenb1023]

We spent an extra night at the Route 66 Indian Casino RV parking lot one time on our way to Texas.  Very high winds all through that area.  Too bad we don't gamble and can't eat at the buffet anymore.  Great separate FREE parking for RV's and good fuel prices at the fuel station.  We always stop for fuel and either lunch break or free overnight.  Beats WalMart.

I love the seafood buffet on Fridays there.  Yes the wind was real bad.  It pushed my poor little jeep all over the place.  Gust were hitting 50+ MPH

 

[THEBigLarry]

We are in Isleta Lakes right now (south of Albuq).  Wind here was fierce for a while.
We battled some pretty good winds getting here from Amarillo.  We go north out of here
and were hoping for a tail wind finally. . . . . .

 

[Wendy]

Wind picked back up around noon here in the 4 Corners and is still blowing. I can't remember a year when the wind blew as much as it has this spring.

 

[4ducksrus]

If you're parked, do you close your slides?  We had some pretty fierce winds 80+ in Iowa last summer and it blew our slide toppers right off!!  Now, I'm really nervous of being parked with it being windy!

Mikie

 

[kenb1023]

We just got back from a weekend stay in Tucumcari.  Winds were bad in the evenings and blew to about 2 AM.  No issues with the slide covers.  Going out it was a tail wind and loved the push.  Going back the head wind was nasty.  MPG killer big time.  I have finally got to the point of an average of 6.5 MPG puling the Jeep.  The wind dropped me to 5.5MPG  :-[

 

[tstumpf]

If you're parked, do you close your slides?

Yes. Really don't want to pay for new slide toppers!

-Roni

 

[alanhui]

I am reading this thread of posts with great interest. Once full time, I plan to spend most of the time in the southwest, at least initially.

Is this high wind seasonal, specifically in the spring time? Other time of the year?

From what I've gathered so far, during high wind (say over 40-50 mph) it is better to stop or drive slower. Is it legal to seek "shelter" under overpasses? (Perhaps overpasses are far and few in between.)

If stopped for overnight, best not to have the stuff/awning or slides out? Other precautions? Is it better to have jacks down or not when on non-pavement? 

 

[JohnNW]

We live in the high desert of CA.  April and May can be really windy.  I would keep slides closed if winds over 30 mph.  We had slide topper springs ruined by sudden freak gusts and last May had 30-35 mph sustained winds gusting to 62 mph.  I heard strange popping sounds and found the roof peeled loose wear slide toppers attached.  Insurance paid all but $500 but lesson learned.  If traveling best to slow down and if you park to wait it out always park lined up with the wind.  If in doubt leave the slides closed.  It really isn't roughing it to be a little cramped for the night. 

 

[Kevin Means]

Winds do tend to be somewhat seasonably predictable but we've had some VERY unusual wind events this year - two Santa Ana wind storms in the month of May, which is unheard of (We're all on pins and needles around here.) You just have to pay attention to the forecasts in your area and destination.

 

[Campfire RV]

Here in the high desert of California we have been getting hammered by the winds quite a bit the last few weeks. April - May are usually windy times here and we don't tend to travel too much during these times due to the winds. During our wind storms last week I lost a side door panel to my swamp cooler on the roof, I have no idea where it ended up so I had to go buy a new one.

The forecast for the next ten days is looking good for us so beginning this weekend we will be hitting the road for our first trip of the season.

If you driving in the wind just be careful and drive slow, if the winds are strong cross winds I usually try to find a place to pull over and turn the MH into the wind and park. If the wind is coming from the front or rear I will usually drive on through.

When it comes to travelling in the wind, it really comes down to what are you comfortable with!!! Always travel with caution!!!

 

[JohnNW]

Josh, where in the High Desert?

 

[Campfire RV]

Josh, where in the High Desert?

Ridgecrest, and you?