How to Stay Safe When a Haboob Comes to Camp

Batten down the hatches!

In November 2022, I bought a 99-year lease on a plot of land in New Mexico. When I arrived, the air was humid and cold. Short grass flourished across the lots and bids chirped happily in the desert-short trees. But when I returned that spring, the grass had all gone and a violent wind thrashed the RV and shook us all throughout the night.

Needless to say, when I chose to add a shed to my lot, there were a few raised eyebrows and some chin scratching. Most people thought it was a terrible idea and that the shed wouldn’t hold up to the wind. But my neighbor and I found an ingenious way to keep it planted. This is just one of the many adjustments I made for the windy spring.

But, what about people who get caught unexpectedly in wind storms at camp? Or even worse, get trapped in a haboob while driving down the highway? I’m no expert, but I’ve spent many a windy day and night in my RV in New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, and Wyoming. Here’s what I learned along the way.

1. Always check the weather.

The best way to avoid getting caught unexpectedly in a wind storm is to check the weather. It’s true that wind patterns can change and haboobs can come out of nowhere.

Still, there are some obvious weather patterns to look out for: