January weather

[MOVFR]

Hello, Region 2 riders  

I am tentatively planning a road trip for January 1-15 that will roughly follow this route:

Southwest MO, northern OK, west TX, central NM, most of AZ, So Cal, straight north thru NV, Boise area ID, central MT, southern WY, most of CO, central KS and return to MO.

I would very much appreciate some input on what type of weather I can expect and also what roads I can count on being closed. I know that this is hardly the ideal time of year for this type of trip, but what can you do ...

Any and all input is much appreciated!  

[swimmer]

As far as AZ goes it can vary greatly depending on what part  of the state you are in.  Since you said central NM does that mean you are entering AZ on I-40 or US60?  If so either of those areas could have snow.  Once you get more towards the center of AZ (heading west) the chances of snow are slim.   it depends on your route.   I've seen snow as far south as Truth or Consequences, NM but that does not mean it doesn't happen further south.  If you take I-10 into AZ you are most likely going to be dry with temps in the 40's to 60's.  If you can give more of an exact route I can maybe add to this...  

[matthew77]

As for Oklahoma #1 would help to know the route. #2 Ask 2-days before you pass through!

Currently we are having 70 degree weather...But two weeks ago we had 6inches of snow, 15 inches in other parts...SOOO as a general rule of thumb...Jan - Feb are the coldest months in Oklahoma. Roads are say 75% passable during this time...

Hope that helps...

[MOVFR]

I am planning to take Route 60 from MO all the way through Oklahoma, Amarillo TX to Clovis NM, then Roswell, Las Cruces, Silver City, Alpine AZ, Globe, Payson, Prescott, Quartzite and on into CA.

I did El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix last time and would like to stay further north this time. Most towns are optional but Prescott is a must.

Thank you very much for all you helpful suggestions. I am eager to hear more!!  

[matthew77]

Movr,

I tried to google us 60 in Oklahoma, as I have never heard of it. It does not really say anything except it never made it to Oklahoma. Hence we have rt 66, which I know you knew. SOOOO my question is can you post a pic of your map? I am very curious about RT 60 now.

[matthew77]

Ok found the atlas and did some looking. It is the northern part of Oklahoma that Rt 60 covers. That is more into the neighborhood of a friend, DaCol, but I am not sure if he is still on here or not. Anyway, temps would run maybe 5 degrees different from the city, depending on the weather front and most likely would be an increase in potential snow.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful, but there are several other riders who live in along this route.

[Vitamin K12]

Hwy 60's not a bad run unless you're in a hurry when you go through there.  Too many places you have to slow down, but there's a few hills to keep you from falling asleep.

[sportridertex]

Sounds kind of crazy to me, I"m in Denver at the moment Dec 25 and it was 14F this morning, not what I would call motorcycle weather

[swimmer]

I drove from CO to AZ today going through NM down I-25 and then hitting I-10.  I saw three motorcycles in  my 12 hours of driving.  The roads were dry.  If you've got warm gear and it's not raining (possible ice) or snowing you should be fine.  But if there is precipitation you could get stuck some where.  

Went from 2.5 feet of snow on the ground to being able to be outside with shorts on in one very boring 12 hour drive.

[BEEF706]

The route through NM you describe is risky in January. I just returned from Christmas with the inlaws in Clovis and it went from about 14 to shirt sleeve weather today, the roads are dry but you would have 2 mountainous regions (Ruidoso and Silver city) that could be pretty snowy. Our forcast for this year was supposed to be colder and wetter than average, but as someone said about OK, ask me about a day before you come through. The saying round here is "if ya don't like the weather in NM, hang around 5 minutes"