Planning

National Rex Rabbit Club

Trip Planning

Hit Counter

Traveling out of your local area can become stressful and sometimes hazardous. GPS or Map Quest will provide an acceptable route to your destination, but do not account for weather conditions along the route. Choosing an alternate route early, based on long range weather forecasts, may help you get to the show with minimum problems and delays.

	15 Day Precipitation Outlook Top Level Forecast which give an overview of weekly precipitation and temperature for the next 15 days. Very little detail, but may give a hint on route plan. If a trip is planned into the Southeast, Mid Atlantic or Northern California this week you may plan to drive in the rain and/or snow. If your trip takes you through the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains you should be dry. This Outlooks provides information for total accumulation for 7 1/2 day.
	UNISYS - 8 Day Temperature and Precipitation Plot A set of simple forecast maps for an 8 day period. These maps will give you an indication of the weather condition you can expect along your route. These maps work well for a multi-day trip across country. The maps do not tell what form (rain or snow) the precipitation will take, but a check of the temperature will provide some insight. Preparing for high temperatures along the selected route may also become an important planning factor. These maps cover a 24 period and valid at 00 GMT. Eastern Standard Time = GMT - 5 hrs. Central Standard Time = GMT - 6 hrs. Mountain Standard Time = GMT - 7 hrs. Pacific Standard Time = GMT - 8 hrs.
	UNISYS - 10 Day Forecast Plot Detailed 10 Day Forecast Plots in 12 hour steps. There is a tremendous amount of data on these maps. However, the Sea Level Pressure/Precipitation plot provides most of the information needed. If your local TV weather forecast does not agree with these plots, bet on the UNISYS forecast. Note: The accuracy of all forecast models falls off significant beyond 2 1/2 days or 60 hours. This forecast model if my favorite trip planning tool. Meteorologist Jeff Haby has published a Forecast Model Interpretation Guide on his website, http://www.theweatherprediction.com/winterwx/shortrange/interpret, for the UNISYS forecast model.
	Unisys Weather Forecast A 7-day point forecast. This forecast has links to IR Satelite regional plots which load quickly. Check out the US and Hemisphere plots. Compare the current condition plots with the first day of the 10 Day Forecast.
	National Weather Forecast It may also be useful to check the National Weather Point Forecast for specific locations along the selected route. This forecast also will give links to any weather warnings that are in effect. This is useful if traveling through high altitude regions or areas of the country that experience tornado activity, high winds and thunderstorms.