Rain in the desert can completely change life in northern Nevada. At the end of May, a couple of Atomic Octopus campmates headed north from Las Vegas to work on and bring gear to the camp’s shipping container. They expected dry weather and mild temperatures. Instead, they found something very different. Rain in the desert arrived with cold temperatures, strong winds, and wet conditions.
It Can Surprise You
The drive north showed just how quickly weather changes in the desert. Normally, late spring in northern Nevada feels warm and dry. However, this trip included heavy winds and gusty weather as storms rolled into the region.
Furthermore, the farther north the travelers drove, the more obvious the changing weather became. Clouds covered the sky. Temperatures dropped. Meanwhile, wind pushed across the open landscape with enough force to make the trip feel more like winter than late spring.
Even so, preparation made all the difference. Because they planned ahead, packed proper gear, and expected changing conditions, the campmates stayed focused on their work.
Rain in the Desert Changes the Playa
Rain in the desert is not always welcome. During the Burning Man event, wet playa conditions means Black Rock City grinds to a halt. Vehicle traffic, bicycles and even walking becomes difficult if not impossible. However, during the off season, rain in the empty desert may actually help improve future playa conditions.
Lake Lahontan in the Black Rock Desert is seasonal. During summer, the playa is usually dry and dusty. However, during fall, winter, and spring, modest storms can create standing pools and shallow lakes across the desert floor.
Because the Black Rock Desert is so flat, even small amounts of rain spread across large areas. Consequently, shallow pools form quickly. These pools press down on the loose playa surface. As a result, moisture may help pack the alkali dust into a firmer surface before summer arrives.
Fortunately, the work trip itself went smoothly. The 360, where BRC Storage containers stay during the off season, sits on gravel pads designed for drainage and stability. Because of this design, rain and standing water caused fewer problems than expected.
Additionally, good planning helped turn difficult weather into only a minor challenge. Many thanks to the team at BRC Storage for all their help and support.
We wish the team could report that there was a sizable lake that covered the entire playa and was packing down all the playa dust, but they only saw scattered pools. Still, every little bit helps.
Curious Sight In Gerlach
As we passed through Gerlach, we spotted a curious sight on the other side of the railroad tracks in town. A significant amount of construction was underway, along with a large number of shipping containers on site. As the weather was on the cold and wet side, we didn’t stop and chat with any of the locals.
Rain In The Desert On The Trip Home
Heading back afterwards turned out to be a smoother ride. The winds were less fierce, and while there was still rain in the desert – the going got easier as they approached Las Vegas. The beautiful desert terrain and the Joshua Trees are always a treat.
