Weather Resources

[EricSoha]

     I am very tentatively planning a tour across the states.  It could be straight across, or perhaps down the east coast, then across the souther portion of the country, then up the west coast, and finally back home across the northern portion of the country.  My first major concern is weather.  When would be the best time to leave?  By leaving at the right time, can I avoid extreme cold or extreme heat? 
     So my major question is, is there any resource, whether it be a book, a web-site, or even a governmental agency, where I can find this kind of information, so that regardless of what I decide to do, I can figure out the weather considerations.  Thanks.

     Eric

[staehpj1]

Really different answers depending on which of those choices you pick.  I suggest that as a quick reality check you can look at the recommended seasons for the Adventure cycling routes that are closest to where you are going.

I don't advise going up the west coast.  That is against strong prevailing winds during the riding season there.  Don't worry too much about prevailing winds when riding across the US though.  That is almost a wash between on way and the other.  On the TA E-W is slightly favored.  Not sure about the NT or ST.

For going across the middle of the country.  The weather is likely to be good with a Spring departure in the East.  You miss the hot humid weather from Virginia thru Missouri and get to the Rockies when it has thawed well and snow is unlikely.

Doing a two way xc trip or perimeter tour needs to be planned carefully.  It works out the best by far if you go around the country in a counter clockwise direction.  I have done a bit of doodling about such a tour starting and ending in Baltimore and taking 6 months.  See the following for a bit more details:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=5587.0

[DaveB]

A friend of mine is fond of saying; "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get".  You can make the odds in your favor a bit by assuming the Northern Tier will be cold in the fall, winter and spring and the Southern Tier will be hot in the summer. (no surprises there huh?).  So, make your northern crossing from June to August and the Southern crossing from December through March. 

That said, it can be COLD in the winter in the South.  I have family in central Florida and it has been in the 20's several times this year.   Also, I was on a week long bike trip in Ohio in late June a few years ago and the overnight temperatures fell into the mid-30's twice in that week. 

Upshot, be prepared with adequate cold weather clothing no matter where you are or when. 

[raybo]

This thread at bikeforums.net discusses going coast-to-coast east to west or west to east.

I think you will find the discussion useful.

Ray