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Deanna

Sep 30, 2002, 12:31 PM

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General weather conditions on I-10 in February

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I'll be driving on I-10 through parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in the middle of February. What is the weather usually like at that time? I think I'd rather wait out storms and ice than try to drive with chains on. My car is a VW van. Tips from residents of those areas are most welcome!

Rolly

Sep 30, 2002, 1:40 PM

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General weather conditions on I-10 in February

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Ice storms on I10 are quite rare. I wouldn't worry about it. I grew up in Texas a little north of the present I10. My recollection is that ice/snow storms occur in that area about once in 10 years. Remember that most of I10 from San Diego to San Antonio is desert. Most of what little rain falls there happens in the summer.

John Ferguson

Sep 30, 2002, 5:58 PM

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General weather conditions on I-10 in February

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: I'll be driving on I-10 through parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in the middle of February. What is the weather usually like at that time? I think I'd rather wait out storms and ice than try to drive with chains on. My car is a VW van. Tips from residents of those areas are most welcome!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Interstate 10 in mid-February, coming through Texas, should be a snap. Although we have ice storms on occasion, they are a rarity. Generally you'll encounter temperatures as low as near-freezing to as warm as the 80's.

Puerto Bill

Oct 1, 2002, 7:57 AM

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General weather conditions on I-10 in February

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As the other 2 people said, you don't have to worry about it but it would be smart to take a dog just in case. You can harness the dog to get you through any snow drifts you might incounter. If you get stuck for weeks the dog can help you find food. Be sure to let the authorities know you will be going through so they can keep track of you and good luck.

El Paso Jim

Oct 1, 2002, 8:21 PM

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General weather conditions on I-10 in February

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Simply watch the weather channel or tune radio stations. Bad weather IS rare, but a few years ago I-10 between the AZ - NM border and Las Cruces NM was closed about 18 hours because of heavy snow. This was in Jan. but it can happen.

Deanna

Oct 3, 2002, 9:25 AM

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Thanks, guys- other questions

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Ok, ok, so I guess February in New Mexico and Arizona ranges from freezing cold to warm, but snow and ice are rare...Of course I will check the weather reports...Thanks also for the jokes, I am a cold-weather wuss so I'm used to it!
It's 50 degrees at night in Northern California and I am dressed in wool head-to-toe!A couple of you mentioned "ice storms", as if that is the only way that roads become icy...Is this true? It occured to me that I don't actually know what an ice storm IS. Please 'splain...gracias!Deanna (Cali-born, Mexico-bound): I'll be driving on I-10 through parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in the middle of February. What is the weather usually like at that time? I think I'd rather wait out storms and ice than try to drive with chains on. My car is a VW van. Tips from residents of those areas are most welcome!

Rolly

Oct 3, 2002, 12:10 PM

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Thanks, guys- other questions

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: A couple of you mentioned "ice storms", as if that is the only way that roads become icy...Is this true? It occurred to me that I don't actually know what an ice storm IS. An ice storm results from freezing rain. It covers everything with ice -- roads, trees, power lines, houses. Because of the weight of the ice clinging to trees and power lines, they often break causing lots of damage, blocked roads, power black outs, etc.An ice storm differs from a snow storm in its destructive power and in the driving problems it causes. Once the snow has been plowed off a road, the road is available for travel, but when it is covered by an ice storm – often called glare ice – nothing moves until the ice melts.Ice can also result from snow that melts in the daytime sun and then re-freezes at night. This can be a travel problem too, although it is more likely to be a pedestrian problem on sidewalks in town. (I broke a leg that way.) But nothing beats an ice storm for sheer destruction and disruption. In very general terms along I10, a snow storm is usually not a very big deal, but an ice storm always is.But don't fret it, you're not going to see on.

Jonna

Oct 3, 2002, 10:47 PM

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Thanks, guys- other questions

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Deanna,I'm another Californian and here's what we saw last year. We left Tucson around Dec 15th because a big freeze was anticipated and our friend's driveway is steep and we wouldn't be able to get the RV down it while frozen. We drove through a blizzard near Benson Arizona, even my partner from Colorado called it a blizzard. All of West Texas was sagebrush covered in snow. It was (to me) colder than a witch's broom in Misson Texas where we spent a week. It also was windy and ugly, I really don't see the attraction to that area.On our way back to California around the 2nd week in March, we crossed the border at Del Rio and drove as far as Van Horn Texas that night. We went to sleep at a rest area and woke up to an inch or more of ice and several inches of snow on top of that. It was 19 bloody degrees on our thermometer!! Big rigs were sliding off the little hill a few miles from us and I10 was totally hidden under white stuff. I was dead sure that we had returned too early! Once we got off the little hills, the driving wasn't a problem but it was hella cold and covered in white. It didn't get warm until we got to Quartzite. OK that was last year. I don't know if last year was an unusual year but you should be prepared for what us Californians call really bad weather! Myself, I don't like snow. I think it is intrinsically dangerous and I am very nervous driving in it. Course, my partner the Coloradan thinks this is very funny. Guess who gets to drive in the snow? I'll do all the sand driving, thank you very much!hope this helps,Jonna

Deanna

Oct 5, 2002, 9:32 AM

Post #9 of 11 (589 views)

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Yikes- thanks

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Thanks, Jonna. The reason i posted in the first place was that I heard about severe weather in New Mexico last winter and I had no idea if that was normal or not. Of course I'll just have to wait and see how it goes. This information helps me to strategize for plans B, C and D! One serious consideration is that I won't be able to sleep in the car if the weather is below 50- My bag is mid-weight and so is my dog/bedwarmer! : Deanna,: I'm another Californian and here's what we saw last year. : We left Tucson around Dec 15th because a big freeze was anticipated and our friend's driveway is steep and we wouldn't be able to get the RV down it while frozen. We drove through a blizzard near Benson Arizona, even my partner from Colorado called it a blizzard. All of West Texas was sagebrush covered in snow. It was (to me) colder than a witch's broom in Misson Texas where we spent a week. It also was windy and ugly, I really don't see the attraction to that area.: On our way back to California around the 2nd week in March, we crossed the border at Del Rio and drove as far as Van Horn Texas that night. We went to sleep at a rest area and woke up to an inch or more of ice and several inches of snow on top of that. It was 19 bloody degrees on our thermometer!! Big rigs were sliding off the little hill a few miles from us and I10 was totally hidden under white stuff. I was dead sure that we had returned too early! Once we got off the little hills, the driving wasn't a problem but it was hella cold and covered in white. It didn't get warm until we got to Quartzite. : OK that was last year. I don't know if last year was an unusual year but you should be prepared for what us Californians call really bad weather! Myself, I don't like snow. I think it is intrinsically dangerous and I am very nervous driving in it. Course, my partner the Coloradan thinks this is very funny. Guess who gets to drive in the snow? I'll do all the sand driving, thank you very much!: hope this helps,: Jonna

Puerto Bill

Oct 5, 2002, 8:43 PM

Post #10 of 11 (589 views)

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Yikes- thanks

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After reading that post I will never go that way again. I may never drive again. I may never even travel again.Now really Deanna, you are over analyzing your trip. Just go. No matter how you try to do everything in the world to prevent something from going wrong you will still worry and worry. Just go and have a good time. It is really very easy. I guess I can say that after doing it about 15 times but there is nothing to worry about.

Deanna

Oct 6, 2002, 4:28 PM

Post #11 of 11 (592 views)

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Whatchutalkinbout, Bill?

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Wha???? Who said I'm taking a different route?
Someone actually told me to PLAN on having snow chains with me, so I posted here to find out about GENERAL conditions in that region at that time of year. I realize there is a slim chance of snow, and that last year was a fluke. Thanks again to all who have responded.