Unforeseen Weather Conditions

When camping or going on an outdoor holiday it is important to remember how unpredictable the great British weather has become. No longer are able to look upon weather forecasts – long range or otherwise – and comfortably say that the weather forecast is the weather we are going to get. With this in mind it is worth looking at the types of unforeseen weather conditions that one might encounter on an outdoor holiday.

Heavy Rain

One of the most common weather conditions to catch the British holidaymaker off guard year in and year out. British summers seem rife with rain and sometimes rain that would seem to last for days at a time. If you are planning an outdoor holiday – in particular a camping holiday – it is important to make sure you are ready for the onslaught of persistent rain.

Make sure you have extra changes of clothing with you on holiday. It is always worth while having extra trousers and jumpers as well as a heavy coat – or perhaps waterproof clothing if you have it. Rain is one of those weather conditions that not only can soak you to the skin but can also leave you with a heavy cold or worse if you are not dried through properly.

Extra towels are also a good idea to help dry hair and exposed skin; it is advisable not to allow hair or exposed skin to dry naturally.

Fog

Again fog is another one of those weather conditions that can strike without warning. In the British Isles fog can descend at any time and last for many hours whilst skies can be clear only a matter of a mile or two away. Fog, differing from mist in its thickness, reduces visibility and also increases the risk of accidents no more so than if you are mountaineering or hiking on moor land. If you intend to mountaineer or hike it is wise to take a compass with you and a map with you and mark your start off point and bearings on the map before you set off. Likewise if possible a decent mobile telephone which will allow for a signal at high altitudes – or radio – is also an advantage.

Fog strikes without warning and – as we have already mentioned – decreases visibility often to the point where it is difficult to see the person, or people, you are with. With this in mind it is worth wearing brightly coloured clothes or coats with luminous strips on them so that your chances of being seen are increased. Where possible it is also recommended that if you are with someone – or a group of people – you stay together or as close together as you can. If at the commencement of your excursion you encounter thick fog – which can also be freezing fog in winter months – it may be worth postponing or delaying until the fog has cleared.

Wind

Again wind is a natural weather phenomenon that can be very unpredictable and indeed extremely dangerous. If you are planning an outdoor activity that involves high altitudes or being out on water it is important to be aware of the wind. At high altitudes – such as those experienced whilst mountaineering – it is worth remembering that not only can the wind be an unbalancing force but it can also be one that carries dropping temperatures with it too.

With this in mind you should always make sure you have extra layers of clothing if you are climbing to higher altitudes. Likewise at sea the wind can suddenly turn calm waters into dangerous currents which can carry an individual out to sea or indeed cause hypothermia. Extra layers of clothing and life jackets are essential as are a way of communicating for help if you find yourself or your party in distress.

Snow

Snow is one of those weather conditions that again can strike without warning. This is more often the case at high altitudes in the later months of the years but it is worth mentioning that at very high altitudes – especially those to be found in the Scottish Highlands – snow can fall during the summer months. This is something that many people over the years have failed to take into consideration and as a result of which they have had to be rescued by the emergency services.

Again extra layers of clothing as well as a reliable means of communication are always an advantage as well as a compact two person tent should you find yourself stranded.

It is worth noting that even the most accomplished outdoor sports person or adventurer can fall foul of these weather conditions so anything you can do to minimise your chances of being caught short in unforeseen weather conditions is worth doing.