Narrative:

While on visual approach; I noted a significant amount of turbulence; but nothing that was too severe. I had obtained the AWOS report; which stated that the wind was [from] 160; [but] I am unable to recall the exact speed of the wind. As I entered ground effect; the turbulence dissipated and I proceeded to touchdown. Just before touch down; there was a gust of wind from the starboard side; causing me to touchdown to the left of the centerline. As I attempted to correct my position on the runway; approximately 3/8 of the way down the runway; another strong gust of wind from the right pushed my plane to the left. My left main gear contacted the grass on the left and the soft ground caused my plane to veer to the left; departing the runway.the aircraft had to be towed back onto the runway as the muddy conditions prevented me from returning the aircraft to the runway under power. One runway light was broken; but no damage to the aircraft was noted [after] careful inspection [and] no injuries occurred. I was not aware of the fact that the wind was gusting so strongly on the ground. If I had been aware of a gusting crosswind; I likely would have chosen another airport in the vicinity with a runway more parallel to the wind directions. Even so; I should have anticipated the crosswind better and landed on the right of the centerline so that there was more room for correction before contacting the turf on the downwind side of the runway.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: The pilot of an M20TN lost control of his aircraft in gusty crosswinds and exited the hard surface of runway; damaging one runway light; but with no apparent damage to the aircraft.

Narrative: While on Visual approach; I noted a significant amount of turbulence; but nothing that was too severe. I had obtained the AWOS report; which stated that the wind was [from] 160; [but] I am unable to recall the exact speed of the wind. As I entered ground effect; the turbulence dissipated and I proceeded to touchdown. Just before touch down; there was a gust of wind from the starboard side; causing me to touchdown to the left of the centerline. As I attempted to correct my position on the runway; approximately 3/8 of the way down the runway; another strong gust of wind from the right pushed my plane to the left. My left main gear contacted the grass on the left and the soft ground caused my plane to veer to the left; departing the runway.The aircraft had to be towed back onto the runway as the muddy conditions prevented me from returning the aircraft to the runway under power. One runway light was broken; but no damage to the aircraft was noted [after] careful inspection [and] no injuries occurred. I was not aware of the fact that the wind was gusting so strongly on the ground. If I had been aware of a gusting crosswind; I likely would have chosen another airport in the vicinity with a runway more parallel to the wind directions. Even so; I should have anticipated the crosswind better and landed on the right of the centerline so that there was more room for correction before contacting the turf on the downwind side of the runway.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.