Weather affects a mountain hike and good planning is important, including checking weather reports a few days before departure until the latest available update.
What are the direct weather-related hazards?
Weather-related hazards are divided into direct and indirect, with direct hazards including cold, wind, sun, rain, snow, fog, and lightning.
The air temperature decreases by about 6.5 degrees for every 1000 meters of altitude, which is crucial for planning the excursion starting from a city in the plains. For example, starting from a city at sea level with 20 degrees, at 2500 meters the temperature will drop to about 5 degrees.
It is also essential to check the presence and intensity of the wind, as it can cause branches, rocks or other objects to fall, making walking difficult. In fact, the wind can make the temperature feel lower than the actual temperature, a phenomenon known as wind chill. In case of intense cold, a sudden drop in temperature can lead to hypothermia or frostbite.
What are the summer risks and necessary precautions?
During the summer, strong sunlight and low humidity can cause dehydration, sunburn, heat stroke, and eye irritation. It is essential to carry an adequate supply of water, sunscreen, and sunglasses to protect yourself from these risks.
What impact can rain, snow and fog have?
Rain, snow and fog can significantly reduce visibility, making it difficult to orient yourself while hiking.
In the event of summer storms, it is important to follow basic safety rules, such as avoiding shelter under isolated trees or metal structures. If you are in an open environment, it is advisable to crouch over your backpack to act as an insulator from the ground.
How to handle a storm and calculate the safety distance?
To calculate the distance of a thunderstorm, you can count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, where each second equals approximately 330 meters.
What are the indirect dangers of weather?
Indirect hazards include ice and avalanches, with ice forming at sub-zero temperatures, especially when the ground is wet. Ice may not always be visible, often hidden by leaves and dirt, requiring extreme caution when moving.
It is important to monitor precipitation and temperature changes in the days leading up to the hike, as they can affect the safety of the trails.
When hiking on snow-covered terrain, it is necessary to know how to read and interpret the avalanche bulletin correctly.
Why is it important to consult weather reports?
Learning to read weather reports is essential for safety in the mountains, today there are many web applications that simplify this consultation.
However, it is essential to pay attention to the textual parts of the bulletin, which provide detailed information on changes in weather conditions during the day.
Information from a weather report can help you prevent potential hazards and ensure a safer hike.
Source: CAI
