In early January, we're planning to take our 5th wheel from Phoenix to Roswell, down to Carlsbad and back to Tucson. Should we be concerned about highway and weather conditions? What temperatures and road conditions can we expect at that time? Also, any recommendations for campgrounds in these areas?
If you're going to take I-10 across then over to Alamogordo, you shouldn't have too much problems with temps or the weather. Nights at or below freezing and days pleasant. From Alamogordo to Carlsbad the altitude goes up in a hurry, and the chance of snow increases, especially around Ruidoso. Things drop to Roswell, but the plains are still rather high and have been hit with some tough snow storms. Outlook will be better as you head south out of Roswell and the further south you get, the less chance for snow and ice as long as you stay in the valley.
The weather folks out there seem to be able to hit things quite well, so just keep a close watch and your trip should be fine. Be sure you check forecasts for the higher elevations, and remember that things can be very bad in the mountains if you ignore warnings or think you can beat the weather's arrival.
John
* This post was
edited 11/09/09 08:42pm by JUrban *
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JUrban wrote: If you're going to take I-10 across then over to Alamogordo, you shouldn't have too much problems with temps or the weather. Nights at or below freezing and days pleasant. From Alamogordo to Carlsbad the altitude goes up in a hurry, and the chance of snow increases, especially around Ruidoso. Things drop to Roswell, but the plains are still rather high and have been hit with some tough snow storms. Outlook will be better as you head south out of Roswell and the further south you get, the less chance for snow and ice as long as you stay in the valley.
The weather folks out there seem to be able to hit things quite well, so just keep a close watch and your trip should be fine. Be sure you check forecasts for the higher elevations, and remember that things can be very bad in the mountains if you ignore warnings or think you can beat the weather's arrival.
John
Thanks, John. That's good information to have. We will perhaps leave the RV at a campground in Las Cruces and stay in a hotel for a night or two in order to see Alamagordo, Roswell and Carlsbad Caverns.
I didn't mean to throw a wet blanket on your plans. We visit friends each January in Mayhill, NM, about 45 miles east of Alamogordo and at over 8000 feet. No issues if you watch the weather. We stay in Alamogordo at the Air Base and have never seen snow in the valley. White Sands is neat to see too and the town has a cool Proving Grounds Museum. We've gone to Carlsbad in the winter too and didn't have a problem. The route to Ruidoso is a bit lower than going to Mayhill, and once across to Roswell there's a lot less chance of seeing blizzard conditions. After Alamo we go north to Albuquerque and spend a few days visiting more friends. Again cold at night, but days are great and even if weather in the mountains gets bad, the valleys are usually fine. North of Santa Fe is another issue, of course.
If you watch the weather you will not have any problems. If you find bad weather ahead in Ruisdoso, when you get to Las Cruces turn south and take 180/62 from El Paso to Carlsbad and then 285 to Roswell. Jan is the coldest month in S. NM but we only get a week or two of bad weather and snow is not common below 5000ft.
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