I’m very cautious when mountain climbing throughout thunderstorm season, particularly above the treeline the place there isn’t a safety from lightning, hail, and excessive winds. I’ve simply had too many shut calls the place thunderstorms have caught me out within the open and scared me half to dying with their fury. Whereas I can peacefully sleep by storms like this whereas tenting at night time, it’s a distinct matter to be caught out within the open with no place to cover.
Whereas there’s a likelihood that you simply’ll get beaned by a baseball-sized chunk of ice throughout a hailstorm, hit by flying tree branches, swept away in a flash flood (the primary reason behind thunderstorm-related deaths), or zapped by floor present lightning which may journey a whole lot of toes from the purpose of impression over roots and rocks, the easiest way to keep away from these risks is to keep away from thunderstorms altogether.
Thunderstorm Warning Indicators
One of the best ways to keep away from thunderstorms is to heed climate forecasts (in case you have entry to them) and sit out storms or hike throughout the hours after they’re least prone to happen. With slightly expertise, it’s also possible to precisely forecast the climate by holding a detailed eye on cloud formations, wind velocity, wind route, or barometric stress when mountain climbing out within the open the place the specter of lightning and hail is the best.
For instance, in New England, thunderstorm exercise is extremely seasonal, occurring most often from June by August. In case you plan on mountain climbing or backpacking on this space throughout these months, be sure you construct a nasty climate day or two into your journey schedule in case you want to abort a hike due to harmful climate. I’ve made the error of attempting to push on previously and it’s simply not price it.
Most summer season thunderstorms happen between midday and midnight when the solar has had an opportunity to warmth up the nice and cozy moist air which rises to type a thunderstorm. In case you do have to hike by an uncovered or open space, it’s finest to get an early morning begin so you may get by it earlier than the early afternoon hours earlier than most storms attain a mature stage of thunderstorm formation.
In case you can see the sky, it’s also possible to monitor potential thunderstorm exercise by on the lookout for giant puffy cumulus clouds on the horizon. If they begin rising very tall or anvil-shaped, you possibly can anticipate a serious thunderstorm. For instance, I’ve been on hikes by extremely uncovered alpine areas the place I’ve been in a position to see such clouds approaching me from 30 miles away. The sight of those clouds inspired me to hike loads quicker and to get beneath the treeline earlier than they arrived and let free their full wrath!
In case you stay alert to the climate when mountain climbing and backpacking, there’s no cause you possibly can’t keep away from being caught within the open when a thunderstorm hits. Most thunderstorms solely final for half-hour, and you’ll merely wait them out earlier than continuing together with your hike.