Safe Hiking in Unpredictable Weather: What You Need to Know

Weather turns nasty fast when you're hiking in the mountains. Hiking weather safety becomes life-or-death stuff when storm clouds roll in and you're stuck miles from your car. One minute you're enjoying sunshine, the next minute you're getting hammered by hail and lightning.

Mountain weather conditions work totally different than city weather. For every 1,000 feet you climb, temperatures drop 3-5 degrees. That warm 70-degree morning at the parking lot? It'll feel like 50 degrees at the summit. Add some wind and rain, and you've got a recipe for hypothermia even in July.

Spotting Weather Trouble Early

Outdoor weather preparation starts at home, but you better keep watching the sky once you hit the trail. Clouds give away what's coming next if you know how to read them. Those fluffy white cotton ball clouds? Usually no problem. Dark towering clouds that look like anvils? Time to get nervous.

Wind tells you stories too. When wind suddenly changes direction or gets stronger, weather changes are heading your way fast. Trail safety tips include watching for these warning signs and being ready to bail out when things start looking sketchy.