Weather at Bonnaroo?

yeah, i spent about an hour in the first aide tent in '04 getting fluids through an iv....there are much better ways to spend time at 'roo, so that was my biggest lesson of the year -- drink TONS of water (much more than you actually think you need).

TN does tend to be very humid. But there is some hope that it will be a little more dry this year. From CNN.com (Feb. 2):
"Climate experts on Thursday confirmed the start of a mild cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean known as La Nina.
It's too early to tell how that will affect spring and summer weather, they said, but often La Nina conditions coincide with stronger and more numerous hurricanes, wet weather in the Pacific Northwest and dry conditions in the South."

i heard about 04. wasnt there. I was at the storm fest last year. Still got a nice tan though. The rain was a bitch, but it was probably better for everyone. You can wash off mud, not sunburn/poison

Just did a search and the average high for June is 84. I know not to plan on that, but it would be a hell of a lot better than 90's!

Yeah, my mom lived in Memphis for a couple years so I know what the humidity can be like....that just makes what apparently happened in 04 that much more ridiculous.

I don't know if my memory is giving out or if even the weather is subjective, but I'm remembering '04 and '05 differently than some people.

'02 and '03: real hot. dry. Incredibly hot. I have no idea what the temperatures were, but it wass debilitatingly, limiting your ability to hang out in front of the stage you want to hot.

'04 was the same for Friday through middle of the day Saturday. Then huge storm. Then mild, overcast pleasant day, then huger storm Sunday night.

'05 was easily the most mild weather ever at Bonnaroo. I guess it rained a bit, but it was overcast and comfortable most of the weekend. Did it storm Thursday night or something (before I got there)?

I would guess it got to 95 with unbelievable humidity each of the first three years (and pretty much stayed there all weekend in '02 and '03), but I have no idea what the actual temperature was.

A shade hat, sunscreen, more water than you think and try to be concious of the sun no matter how much you are "enjoying yourself". One of the best things about late-nights are the merciful relief from the sun and heat.

Samhall, to answer your question, like most people here said, expect very hot temperatures. Your temp gauge may only read 85-95, but the Humidity on that little farm in Tennessee is always going to be outlandish.

I'm pretty sure it almost always rains in the weeks preceeding bonnaroo, so the farm (long uncut grass on a former hog and cow farm) retains that moisture really well and the temp's usually FEEL like 100 degrees. Yes, when it is overcast it cools down, but it is always going to be humid. Me, personally, I'd take it 10 degrees hotter with 1/2 the Humidity any day.

One of the worst things about the heat is that it gets that way very early. You should probably expect to wake up in a puddle of sweat at about 8:30 a.m. every morning. If you can some how construct a little shade with some poles and a tarp (although the rain, if it comes, will ruin it) to put your tent under along with some chairs; I would highly recommend it.

Another thing you have to remember is that there will be very little Natural shade at Bonnaroo. You'll find every square inch of shade, under every tree in centeroo filled up when it's hot. I mean literally. It's kinda funny to see the entire shadow outline of a tree filled in with people. Almost like a human paint by number or something.



I agree almost entirely with Ka Mai though I can't vouch for '02, I wasn't there.

'05 I also remember a little differently...It rained a lot overnight Friday night/saturday morning then a lot during the latter part of the day Saturday.

This made for some very very muddy conditions...slow moving of crowds through huge mud bogs, and lots of cars getting stuck trying to get out on Sunday. (there was actualy a big crowd around cheering all the 2 wheel drive cars once they got out)

Everyone here has called the rain the last two years a blessing but I felt differently about it.

I would take the heat and keep the area dry any day. If you come well prepared: 100 oz. Camelbak, cool clothing (I recommend moisture wicking athletic gear, you can find descent prices at your local sports store, you don’t have to buy Under Armour), lots of sunblock, and a strong will, the heat is do-able.

Staying cool is great, but being sopping wet and muddy gets tired a lot faster to me.

But when it rains, the whole place becomes a sh1t-smelling mud bog. Camping gear easily gets wet, lines move slowly because you have to walk through mud carefully not to fall, the porto-potty stations become worse than usual. In the main stage area you can't lay out blankets and just lounge when it's that wet. Everyone is curled under ponchos and the few available tents when it really comes down.

But when it's that hot...the heat is fine by say, 5 o'clock in the afternoon. You get the beautiful Tennessee sunsets because it's not behind the clouds.

Like ka mai said, the great thing about late nights is the merciful release from the sun. Centeroo is just so much nicer at night when it's not a huge wet mud puddle. You can move around more easily, people are enjoying themselves more because they are both cool AND dry, there are more people just lounging in the What Stage area for the headliners because you can kick back and lounge on the dry ground. You don't have to worry about keeping other stuff dry either.

Night at Bonnaroo is going to be cool temperature-wise either way...I've experienced Bonnaroo both ways and I would easily take sweltering hot days and cool dry nights over cool but rain drenched days AND nights any time.

......Wow long post, gotta get back to work.

I thought last years weather was perfect. It did rain which sucked at times but it never got too muddy like it did in '04. The weather was so hot in '03 but we got a nice hour long shower during the MMW and Flaming Lips latenight sets.

I remember a fair amount of Mud for my part. I have a missing sandal that will vouch for that...

...Granted no where NEAR '04, that sh1t was insane.

...I swear it rained like 3 inches in 2 hours while we were waiting for the postponed Dead show to start. We talked to some local-yocal who'd just gotten off the phone with his wife...apparently manchester was in the center of a large tornado system (Or so he told us)

HAHAHAHAHA....


Thats hillarious



I bought a pair of knock-off merrels at k-mart for $10 that were great

Ka Mai: Small piece of advice on the Rubber Boots:

I had big rubber Galoshes the last few years. They fill up with water real easy if you are not wearing pants that cover the outside (you can probably see how they'd work like a bucket to collect water when it's raining). Also the rubber tops of the boots can chafe and irritate your calfs if you're not wearing something on the INSIDE of the boots.

After walking for a short time in '03 i got smart in '04 with a pair of big yellow suspenders that were part of a $20 Meijer rain suit and some ridiculous looking knee socks and this took care of the problem. ( I may have looked like a jackass but I stayed plenty dry)

After some experimenting though, I've come to the personal conclusion that it's better for me to just wear my crocs (see the "Shoe Question" thread) and let my feet get muddy. I still hang with the yellow suspenders and a rain coat though, keeping your torso and legs dry makes the biggest difference.

(I also get a great response to the yellow suspenders, for some reason people just love those) ;D

Weather can be hot and very, very, very humid....some thunderstorms. I always carry a light jacket for the evening...after a thunerstorm it can feel pretty cool outside.

Larry

I live in Memphis, and to me, June in Tennessee isn't nearly as hot as it is in July and August. Seriously - I can handle June over those two months any day.

But, having said that, it IS more humid down here than some other places, so I can see why a lot of people think its really really hot.

But seriously....try staying until August. You'll dream about the days of June!

"it is what it is" and thats why we love it.

Try coming to Michigan like...now. Or two months ago. Single digit temperatures with wind chill pushing it into the negative numbers. When it's 40 degrees colder outside than in your freezer, you dream of Tennesee August.

Atleast it doesnt hurt to breathe in Tennessee in June...[/quote]

Dude - could totally never live in Michigan. And yes, it's nice in June.

But it's so muggy in August you're lucky to breathe at all! Though I have to say, not nearly as muggy as Georgia.