The weather is always an important consideration when preparing a trip, but this is especially so when going Mountain Hiking. So checking weather forecasts before you leave is vital. But when you are on your trip and don’t have access to those forecasts, some basic weather prediction knowledge will help to keep you safe. Practice this at home before you go trekking and then it’ll come naturally.

Changing weather simply means a changing of air pressure. Decreasing air pressure means that there is a low pressure area approaching, often leading to clouds and rain. Increasing air pressure often heralds the approach of a high pressure area, and that often brings a fine and clear day.

But how do you “read” the weather? Unlike the presenters on television, out in the wilderness, you don’t often have the latest satellite equipment, however, you do have nature’s signs as your Wilderness Weather Watcher and they will show you what the sky is going to do in your area. Most of these are obvious changes, but some are more subtle.

One indicator is on a fine and clear day the smoke from a campfire rises steadily. If it starts swirling and descending, the air pressure is decreasing and you are in for some bad weather.

Another sign is that as the pressure decreases, the air clears, sounds becomes sharper and, if you are really aware, smells will be stronger. So when you notice the birds singing louder and the trees smelling particularly good, you’re probably in for some rain soon.

If clouds are white, high the fine, so will the day be. You will know a storm by its black, low clouds massed in large clusters. When wet weather is approaching you’ll see that the cloud will form a grayish veil, and you’ll know it’s time to rug up and move on or take shelter.

Please don’t get so wrapped up in what the weather means in mountain survival terms that you forget to take the time to appreciate the sheer beauty of a stunning sunset. You can enjoy every second of it and after that awesome sight has faded, you’ll sleep really well because you know that the next day will be most likely be fine.

And when you witness a dazzling pink and orange dawn, you’ll know that you only need to prepare for the rain it will probably bring AFTER you’ve taken all those amazing shots which you can proudly display on your computer desktop forever after.

If you think you’ll forget all you’ve learned, you can always pack that good old Sailors rhyme in your memory:  “A Red sky at night is a sailor’s delight – A Red sky at morning means sailors take warning.”

If you are interested in studying weather conditions more seriously, then I suggest you find a class or a course at university. But if you just want to know a bit more on how to read the language of the weather in mountainous terrain, Click Here