What effects the weather has on your tour
Temperature
Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can and will definitely affect your adventure. In cold weather, you will probably be less keen to take long breaks. Accidents, injuries or getting lost are also dangerous - there is a risk of hypothermia. In the heat, on the other hand, you move more slowly, drink more and should pay particular attention to sun protection. Headgear is a must. When planning your route, remember that open paths offer no protection from the sun and where you can find shelter in cold weather - for example in mountain huts. Always pack suitable clothing, enough water for hot days, snacks for cold days - and as always, a little extra time as a buffer.
Rain and snow
If rain is forecast or you are out and about in spring or autumn, when snow can suddenly fall at higher altitudes, think carefully about how experienced your group really is in the mountains. Wet or frozen paths quickly become slippery - increasing the risk of accidents. In snow, the path markings - or even the path itself - can disappear. This means that you make slower progress and it gets really tiring on difficult paths. So make sure you organise your strength well, navigate safely, weigh up the risks properly and have the right equipment for all weather conditions.
Fog
Dense fog reduces visibility considerably, making it difficult to orientate yourself. You will be forced to slow down in order to stay on course and avoid accidents. This in turn can affect your body temperature.
Wind
Strong winds can make it difficult to keep your balance on narrow paths or ridges, and communication also becomes more difficult. In the forest, you have to be prepared for falling branches in windy conditions, and falling rocks can occur above the tree line. The wind chill effect should also not be underestimated: A sunny day can suddenly feel cold when the wind picks up, and on already cold days it can even be dangerous - especially in connection with an accident or injury.
Lightning and thunderstorms
Thunderstorms make the mountains really dangerous - and not just because of the rain, which makes the paths slippery. It can be particularly dangerous on summits, open ridges or via ferratas. Watch out for falling branches or stones and remember how to protect yourself in the event of a lightning strike: Look for low-lying terrain, avoid direct contact with the ground and stay away from tall trees, metal posts or caves.
Where to find reliable weather information for the mountains
Now you know how the weather can affect your tour, but you're probably wondering: How do I get accurate weather forecasts, especially in the mountains, where there are often very specific microclimates? SAAC has more tips for you.
Social media and online forums
Become part of an online community or visit forums where mountain fans share their experiences and the latest weather information. Mountain rescue services also use these platforms to post weather warnings and important updates.
Specialised weather services for your country or region
For Switzerland, the SAAC recommends services such as MeteoBlue, Windy, MeteoSwiss or Bergwetter.com. The experienced hikers and mountaineers in the komoot team rely on MeteoBlue and Windy throughout Europe, while mountain-forecast.com is popular worldwide and noaa.gov is a reliable source in the USA. In general, the state weather services of the respective country - such as AEMET in Spain or Météo France - are usually more precise than commercial weather portals.
Local mountain rescue services or tourist offices
These usually offer up-to-date weather reports specifically for their region and also take extremely specific local conditions into account. You can often also find information directly from the local mountain huts.
Radar and satellite images
You can keep an eye on the current weather situation with weather radar and satellite images. They help you to better assess short-term weather changes. It is best to use as many of these sources as possible. This will give you a much more accurate picture of the weather and help you plan your next outdoor adventure even better. Further information from SAAC can be found here.
You can find the original publication of this article on kommot
