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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to have cancelled camping due to thunderstorm forecasts?

34 replies

chomalungma · 16/08/2020 22:08

Not losing much - just basic camping in Yorkshire Dales.
Been keeping an eye on the forecast past few days and it would have only been 2 nights!

But we've wimped out. Or been sensible given that camping in the rain, let alone thunderstorms is just a crap way of spending a few days?

I do like camping, But I will admit to being a fair weather camper, and I don't want to put DS off. He is used to camping in France in summer.

We've booked the Lakes for a few weeks time,

Would you camp if you knew it was thunderstorms forecast?

OP posts:

Emma1962 · 16/08/2020 22:10

No. It will be miserable, wet and you won’t be able to sleep. I love camping but we cancelled this year as it’s our only hols & we wanted a bit more comfort for a week. I’m glad we did now as the weather is looking dire!

Hyperion100 · 16/08/2020 22:12

We did it in cornwall. We thought the forecasts couldnt be that bad.

Massive mistake. Spent 4 days huddled in a damp tent. Absolutely miserable.

winewolfhowls · 16/08/2020 22:12

Difficult one! Yes if I had a big tent to shelter in, no in a little 3 man. Depends on the forecast too, if its storms but partly dry then definitely yes regardless of tent. If wall to wall rain then no regardless of tent.
If you can afford to eat an evening meal out somewhere dry yes. If a toilet training child, no. Middle of nowhere no, plenty indoor activities nearby yes.

Original poster

chomalungma · 16/08/2020 22:13

@Hyperion100

We did it in cornwall. We thought the forecasts couldnt be that bad.

Massive mistake. Spent 4 days huddled in a damp tent. Absolutely miserable.

This site has no power, no wi-fi and not even a mobile phone signal.

We could have played a lot of scrabble.....

OP posts:

Dozer · 16/08/2020 22:14

YWNBU to cancel. Camping in heavy rain is grim, and not ideal if lightening comes to the area.

CodenameVillanelle · 16/08/2020 22:14

YABU!!
We had thunderstorms forecast all week and in the end they arrived this afternoon after we were home and our camping weekend was fantastic. A little drizzle yesterday morning but otherwise amazing. You never know with weather forecasts. Even the met office was saying it was raining when it definitely wasnt!

TheMarzipanDildo · 16/08/2020 22:14

No that is entirely reasonable.

trilbydoll · 16/08/2020 22:14

Yes but only if I was fairly certain it would be dry initially. We've taken the tent down in torrential rain, that doesn't bother me too much, but I'd like it to start dry!

Justajot · 16/08/2020 22:15

We camped through a thunderstorm. It honestly terrified me. I lay awake counting the time between the flash of lightning and the thunder, wondering if we should decamp to the car.

The problem with thunderstorms is that they are often quite localised. A wide area might have a forecast for them, but they may only actually hit a small band in that area.

Sorry, that doesn't necessarily help your decision.

How much rain is forecast?

Original poster

chomalungma · 16/08/2020 22:15

@Dozer

YWNBU to cancel. Camping in heavy rain is grim, and not ideal if lightening comes to the area.

I was googling camping and lightning last night. Would have escaped to the car!

OP posts:

QueenofLouisiana · 16/08/2020 22:17

Definitely wouldn’t want to be in a tent! Caravan or camper would be ok.

Original poster

chomalungma · 16/08/2020 22:17

How much rain is forecast

BBC talked of flash floods!

But who knows....I bet we could still rebook tomorrow!

OP posts:

supersonicginandtonic · 16/08/2020 22:17

We went to Scarborough for the week, last week. Came home Friday. The week before we went it was forecast thunderstorms all week. We did not have one spot of rain the whole week we were there. Has a fantastic week and spent loads of time exploring the countryside and spending time on the beach. I wouldn't cancel due to weather, it changes so often and so quickly at the minute. Also it's much more likely to rain in the Lakes. It's one of the wettest places in the UK.

Margo34 · 16/08/2020 22:17

I have some hilarious and wonderful memories of camping in thunderstorms. Some of my most treasured camping holiday memories, in fact! But they'd been surprise unexpected thunderstorms admittedly, so no in this case I don't think you're being unreasonable.

Justajot · 16/08/2020 22:20

Also, how far is it from home?

I generally have a rule of not camping more than 1.5 hours from home, so that we can ditch it if it's grim. We've only had to do that once, and that was because I did something stupid and badly sprained my ankle.

Doryhunky · 16/08/2020 22:23

Having sweltered through the heatwave in the house set off for camping. First two days iffy, now pouring with rain for rest of trip. We have a large tent but after months of lockdown sitting in a tent is not much fun. No doubt as soon as we go back to work it will brighten up!

Original poster

chomalungma · 16/08/2020 22:32

Also, how far is it from home

About 2 hours.

Hopefully forecast will be better towards the end of the month.

OP posts:

Porcupineinwaiting · 16/08/2020 23:00

Overnight thunderstorms and warm, bright days - fine. Days of storms and rain - awful. I'd postpone.

DogInATent · 16/08/2020 23:14

We did the camping in the driving rain and gales of a Welsh summer not so long ago. It's not fun. Tenting is nice when the sun's out, but being naturally fairweather campers it restricts our options and ability to plan.

There's a reason we have a motorhome now. Four solid walls, and gas heating when required. I'll happily go "camping" in all weathers now.

Kittywampus · 16/08/2020 23:21

I would but I love thunderstorms. Also the forecast is notoriously inaccurate so the storms may well not happen. I would go but be prepared to pack up and come home if you get too wet and miserable.

Thehogfatherstolemycurry · 16/08/2020 23:23

Hell no, camping in rain is miserable. Why put yourself through that when you've a nice comfy bed at home.

nanbread · 16/08/2020 23:30

I think YABU because you don't know what the weather will be like in two weeks!

At least wait until the day before. It might be glorious. It's so changeable at the moment.

Thegreymethod · 16/08/2020 23:36

Cancel!! There is no joy in camping during a storm, it happened to us last year we had a lovely holiday and the weather was gorgeous then a storm started and it was awful, not being dramatic when I say it was the worst night of my life. Literally saw every minute of that night as our (brand new, expensive massive tent) got bashed to bits all night. We still had a week to go but the tent was so damaged, we had to pack up in the rain on no sleep with tired wet children crying and then drive the 3 hours home (obviously still soaked through) I've never been so happy to be home! It's put me off camping for life and I'd always loved it before!
When we rang reception to say we'd have to go they refunded us for the nights we didn't use and our friends who were supposed to joining us a couple of days later cancelled and got a full refund too.

PercyKirke · 17/08/2020 00:07

I've had a tent blown down at 2am in the rain. I'd cancel if the forecast was light showers.

HoldMyLobster · 17/08/2020 00:19

I’ve had some awful camping trips in rain. Nowadays I bail out if the weather looks bad.

Most memorable was one in South Carolina where our tent was the only one still standing in the morning.

Also one where we were dealing with 3 kids under 7 sleeping in a tent that was awash.

I’ve been visited by a black bear while camping and that was less stressful...

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