North American Weather
 

I'm toying with a North American trip of about 9 months. Unfortunately I'm tied at work to departing around Nov/Dec 2002.

Being Australian (from the Top End) I must confess that heat and waterloss is usually of more concern that ice and cold (I once got a bit chilled, but that was a couple of years ago!).

Is it reasonable to plan my first few months (say December to March) to do the southern states (eg California to Florida via Texas and Mexico) then head up north?

In particular I'm keen to head north at the earliest opportunity that won't freeze me solid?

P.S. I hear there is such a thing as electric hand warmers! Are they a gimmick or really worth it? (battery drain etc?)

I think ideally you tour should be U-shaped. You start for ex in Vermont in summertime, head down to the southern states for the wintertime and head back up Califronia the next summer.

I have been in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, New York, Vermont. Just to give you an idea:
Vermont:
August, nice. Not to hot or to cold.

North Carolina
February, nights as cold as -20°C (in the mountains)
July, hot as hell, lots of bugs.

Florida March, days up to 20-25 °C, but nights might easely drop between 5 and 10°C
If you want to visit the Everglades I think you should do this during the winter months. In summertime it is way to hot to come out. (but then again, what am I used to in rainy Belgium...)

I hope this gives you some info. I am sure there are statistics to find on the net about the climate in the states.

RE electric handwarmers - yes they certainly exist, and are well worth it - most bikes can handle the juice requirements easily. Electric vest/waistcoat is also very nice - everywhere except the top-end! We even used ours a number of times in Africa, even in North Africa once the sun went down.

RE your route, basically you don't want to be above line of northern Califonia/Oregon border between October/November and early April, or better yet May.

And don't forget Canada and the Yukon and Alaska! There's a lot to see up north.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

dress in layers eg thick leather jacket over polar tech 200 weight sweater over long sleeve shirt over long sleeve t-shirt.

sorry---the lower half---underwear then silk long johns thick jeans ( draggin jeans ) ideal, then waterproof pants. don't forget warm leather gloves and polar teck neckerchief to keep out the draft. as it warms up ,you may remove layers till comfortable.