Every traveller dreams of roaming across the land in their campervan, enjoying beautiful weather along the coastlines and countryside, inspired by those highlighted Instagram posts of sitting on the beach on a sunny day or cruising down winding mountain roads with blue skies in the background. Unfortunately, this is not always the reality, and preparing for bad weather in a van is important.
How to Prepare for Bad Weather in a Tiny House on Wheels?
Embarking on a trip in your campervan keeps you dreaming of the good times to come, but preparation is essential when facing bad weather along the way. You can do several things to avoid getting stuck in unfavourable conditions.
Stay Informed: Weather Awareness on Your Journey
While planning your trip, checking the weather predictions for your destination is extremely helpful. Take note of areas that consistently have better weather and adjust your route accordingly. Be sure to look at the weather for regions along your route, not just your destination. While travelling, you may find it necessary to make quick stops in areas with different climates.
Mountains vs. Sea: Choosing Your Ideal Climate
Whether you head to the coastlines or the mountains will significantly affect the climate you can expect. We have found that the coastlines generally offer better weather: warmer temperatures, steadier conditions, and more tourism options. Mountainous areas are typically colder with less predictable weather. The higher you go into the mountains, the colder it will be, and if you find yourself in the valleys, you may experience unpredictable weather with fewer hours of sunshine.
Packing Smart: Be Ready for Any Weather
Knowing that you may end up with some extra stops along the way, a little over-packing can be quite helpful for van life. Pack extra clothing to accommodate warmer and colder climates, as well as some rain protection to keep you comfortable on the journey. Make some space for small games and activities to pass the time if the weather turns bad.
Keeping the Good Times Rolling in Your Campervan
Even if you are fully prepared, you may find yourself in uncomfortable weather conditions. We’ve been travelling for three months (at the time of writing this blog) and had many months of experience before this trip. We know that preparation can be very helpful, but sometimes bad weather in a van just catches up. We’ve found three main options in this situation:
- Pay for a more comfortable situation
- Chase the sun
- Pass the time
Some of these options may make more sense than others depending on your budget, location, and time allowance.
When Bad Weather Strikes: Your Comfort Options
When bad weather hits, it can quickly become crowded inside your campervan. Whether you are alone, with a partner, or with family, there is not much freedom when it is cold and wet outside or if storms make it dangerous to venture out. Finding a hostel or hotel could provide a bit more comfort. Sometimes, a campsite with extra facilities could suffice. Either way, you give yourself extra space to escape your tiny home, making it easier to wait for the weather to improve.
We once stayed at a campsite for a night with a nice heated pool, which helped us forget about the cold weather outside. The rain doesn’t matter when you’re sitting in a pool!
Chase the Sun: Finding Better Weather Nearby
Sometimes, the best option is to completely change your plans and chase the sun. You may be lucky to find that a nearby region offers much better weather than what you’re experiencing. Check the weather forecasts for neighbouring regions for better predictions you can follow. Social media might be your saviour here; look at photos posted in nearby areas to see the sun you’re missing out on.
Creative Ways to Pass the Time During Bad Weather
When it comes to passing the time during bad weather in a van, there are more options than you may realise. While it’s nice to be out enjoying the scenery on holiday, if that’s not possible, these options can help keep you sane while waiting out the bad weather.
Movies & Series: Your Perfect Rainy Day Escape
If you only have a day or two of bad weather ahead, this can be a great way to pass the time. Make it a date: find a few movies or series to enjoy together. You are on holiday, right?
Card & Board Games: Fun for the Whole Family
This is our favourite option—not just during bad weather. There are many choices for card games and compact board games. You can easily pass the time with a set of cards or Mini Monopoly. Fortunately, these don’t take up much space, so you can conveniently take them with you when the weather clears up.
Art and Crafts: Unleashing Your Creativity
Arts and crafts can be a relaxing way to pass the time and maybe even become a new hobby. Consider picking up a sketchbook and pencil set, or some knitting needles and yarn (this is Den’s current hobby). This way, you can delve into your creative side while waiting for the sun to return.
Study Time: Learning on the Go
Learning is one of the greatest parts of life; you will never run out of things to learn. If you have some work waiting at home, this may be the perfect time to get ahead, leaving you with less stress upon your return. Or, if there’s a subject you’ve been curious about but never got around to studying, take a look at platforms like Udemy or Skillshare, which often offer free trials perfect for delving into new topics.
Start a Personal Project: Make the Most of Your Time
Start something for yourself, whether it’s a simple puzzle or even a blog. Set a goal for something you enjoy, and go for it. A personal project is great because you can choose what it is, how far your target will be, and how strictly you want to work toward it. This option allows you to achieve a goal, learn more about your project, or at least pass the time.
Clean & Organise: Refresh Your Tiny Home
Depending on how severe the weather is, this could be a great chance to clean up your campervan and get things back in order. Decide how thorough you want to be and consider it a spring cleaning. We all know how necessary this is in a tiny home. Take out items that have been sitting since your trip began, give everything a clean, and decide if it should go back in or be donated.
Explore Despite the Rain: Weather-Resistant Activities
You are never limited to being stuck in your campervan during bad weather. Look around the area for a nice café or restaurant to get yourself out and about. Consider visiting a museum or catching a new movie at the cinema. There are many options to explore while avoiding bad weather. We love visiting hot springs or spas when possible; this way, you won’t have to worry about the rain.
Embrace the Journey: Take It Day by Day
Nobody wants to schedule bad weather for their trip, but it’s always convenient to be prepared. Take a tip from this article and pack some extras in case you run short of sun. Be sure to enjoy the good weather while it lasts and make the most of these options when bad weather in a van comes.
