Introduction
So you have planned your hike with HiiKER. Your bag is packed and you are ready to tackle the hills. You look at your local weather and it’s smiling suns with shades all day… But the mountains require more than that. Especially when you are climbing elevation, you can experience extremely different weather conditions to what was at sea level.
Weather can significantly impact your hiking experience, affecting everything from safety to the gear you need to pack. With modern technology at our fingertips, several apps can provide accurate and detailed weather forecasts to ensure you’re well-prepared for your hike. Here are the top five weather apps you should consider:
1. WeatherBug
WeatherBug is a comprehensive weather tool, offering everything from forecasts and alerts to interactive weather maps. It provides real-time weather conditions, as well as hourly and 10-day forecasts. One unique feature is its weather camera section, which allows users to view real-time images from various locations. Moreover, it provides useful data on air quality, UV index, and pollen count.
2. AccuWeather
AccuWeather is an excellent app for hikers due to its comprehensive coverage and accurate forecasts. It provides hourly, daily, and even 15-day weather forecasts. AccuWeather also offers radar and satellite imagery, and its unique ‘RealFeel’ feature tells you how the weather actually feels outside, considering factors like wind and humidity.
3. Windy
Windy, as the name suggests, provides detailed wind forecasts – invaluable if you’re planning a hike in exposed or high-altitude areas. But it’s not just about wind; Windy also offers forecasts for rain, temperature, cloud coverage, and more. Its visually pleasing and easy-to-understand wind maps are a standout feature.
4. Mountain Weather
Mountain weather is specifically designed for those tackling mountain hikes. It provides detailed weather forecasts for different altitudes, crucial when planning hikes in mountainous terrain, where weather conditions can change drastically with elevation. The app covers over 11300 mountain summits around the world.
5. YR
Yr is a joint service by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, offering weather forecasts for locations worldwide. This app is especially admired for its accuracy and detailed predictions. One of its standout features is its “Metogram,” a graphical representation of the forecast that shows temperature changes, precipitation, and wind speed over time. Moreover, Yr also offers radar imagery for precipitation and satellite images, offering a comprehensive weather overview for any hiker’s needs.
Conclusion
When preparing for a hike, staying informed about the weather is not an option; it’s a necessity. From the minutiae of wind directions to the broader sweep of storm forecasts, the above apps cover all bases. However, always remember that while these tools provide excellent guidance, they should never replace common sense and personal judgment when faced with questionable weather conditions in the wild.
By blending technology with preparedness, you’re setting the stage for not only a safe but also an enjoyable hiking adventure. Happy trails and clear skies!