RVing, OHVing, Camping, and Boating Weather

Weather can play a significant role in whether our outdoor recreational outings are successful and enjoyable or an utter and complete failure.  The old adage about raining on someone's picnic has definite roots in historical reality.  I am sure most of us have had at least one picnic, BBQ, or camping trip spoiled or at least dampened by rain.  

Perfect weather for outdoor activities is not something you can easily define.  What is perfect for one activity or one group may not be perfect for another activity or group.  For example, most of us would prefer to have fairly calm days for our outdoor activities or maybe just a mild breeze to help keep us cooler and more comfortable.  But is you are going sailing, you will need more wind to move your sailcraft.  Most camping and off-roading is done in summer months and avoids snow and other cold, wet weather.  But, if you are going snowmobiling, ice fishing, or cross country skiing, you absolutely need cold, snowy weather.  Most off-road riding is done in clear, dry weather, but riding after a light rain helps reduce dust and increase traction.  Sometimes getting a light rain out on the trail can be refreshing -- as long as there isn't enough to get you soaked and you can dry out before getting hypothermia, which can be life threatening if not caught and treated soon enough.

Most of us would prefer to go RVing, OHVing, Camping, or Boating when the weather is good.  So what does good weather look like?  Well, in most cases you want clear skies and warm (not too hot) days (probably in the low70s F), with no precipitation.  However, if you are going snowmobiling or ice fishing, the ideal weather could be quite different!  If you are into sailing you need wind, something most of us would rather avoid for outdoor recreation.  We once encountered winds so strong on a dirt biking trip in the Mojave Desert that they literally blew bikes and riders over when they reached the top of a hill and got caught in a crosswind.  Definitely NOT ideal OHV riding conditions!  We usually avoided riding in rain or snow or even really hot weather.  A pretty good target for good outdoor recreation weather would be a clear, calm, day with temperatures in the low 70s F.  Lower temperatures will require you to dress warmer; hotter temps will demand cooling techniques.   Sailors will want to look for steady winds somewhere around 10-12 knots.  Lower winds don't provide enough energy to move boats comfortably;  higher winds can create dangerous situations out on the water.

Human beings are most comfortable in an environment around 70F - 72F.  However we are also quite adaptable.  We can usually dress up or down to accommodate slight variation in that temperature and still be relatively comfortable.  That being said, almost of us will plan and enjoy outdoor activities when we stick to reasonable weather ranges.  You probably don't need to make a lot of changes in your planned activities or your basic wardrobe as long as outside temperatures are in the 60-80F range.  Temperatures below 60F will require dressing warmer and when it gets above 80F you are going to want better ways of keeping cool, and may be forced to limit your activities to avoid hyperthermia (heat illness).  Swimming and other on-the-water activities are attractive pastimes for hot days and can help keep you cool.

The best weather may differ depending on what activities you are planning.  Normal camping where you mostly sit around and enjoy the scenery and ambiance is most comfortable in mild temperatures around 72F.  Water sports can be enjoyed during hotter weather.  OHV riding is usually adaptable to a wider range of temperatures, with cooler days being more comfortable than warmer ones.  Hiking or any other highly physical activity will thrive in cooler temperatures and become tedious and unpleasant as things warm up.  Light rain may or may not be an issue, depending on available canopies, enclosed vehicles, and good rain gear.  Heavy rain is almost always a deterrent to outdoor recreation.  Windy days can spoil your picnics and campfires and I've even seen winds strong enough to blow over dirt bikers when they topped a hill.  However, a certain amount of wind is good and even necessary if you are going sailing and light breezes are usually beneficial in camp and for camp fires.  A light breeze is welcome on warmer days.  Cloudy days can moderate temperatures but you may still be subjected to UV rays that can cause a sunburn and cloudy days can inhibit good lighting for photography.  If you are doing any winter activities (skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing, etc) you will need near or below freezing temperatures and snowy conditions.

Keep in mind the weather when you arrive at your destination could be very different that the weather around your house when you leave home.  We often deliberately drive several hours to a different climate so be sure to check the weather at your destination before you leave home.   Mountain campgrounds are a frequent choice of campers.  Be aware that many large mountains can create their own localized weather that might not show up in a regional forecast, so check with someone who knows the area before you go.  That might include rangers, law enforcement, merchants, and fellow campers who have been there before.  I once worked a summer job at a mountain resort and we got rain at about 1:00 almost every day, regardless of what was in the regional forecast.  You could almost set your watch by it!

There are several good resources available to you to predict and monitor the weather.  These days most of us rely heavily on electronic devices to provide us with information.  Internet weather service usually provide a good idea of what is going to happen.  NOAA radios give you regular updates just about where ever you might be.  You can get local AM and FM radio stations on your car or portable radios.  Another good source for local weather information is the sky.  Unfortunately, a lot of us mostly city-dwellers have never learned how to read the sky for clues about the weather but you can learn basics from the how to read the sky link.  There are also handy guides to wind strength you can use to judge velocity based on what you can see around you.  Here is a link to chart for Estimating Wind Speeds With Visual Clues. You can also purchase portable weather stations you can use just about anywhere to monitor temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, and even precipitation.  Some aids don't require electronics.  Even airplane pilots still use wind socks to monitor wind direction and strength and a small one hanging in your camp and do the same for you.

One of my favorite weather station stories is about the weather string or rope, a very simple device but it is surprisingly accurate. If you can see it, the sun (or moon) is shining.  If you can't see it, it is either dark outside or a strong wind blew it away.  If it is moving it is windy--and you can actually get a good idea how hard the wind is blowing and which direction.  If it is wet it is raining.  If is it blurry there is fog.  If it is frozen it is cold outside.  Tried to link the image below to the etsy.com page where you could buy one, but it didn't work.  If you want one do an online search for "redneck weather rope" and you should get several affordable options.  Or, if you are crafty, make your own!

 

                                            

Sometimes you may want to alter your plans if the weather is not suitable.  Having a comfortable RV or tent where you can escape unpleasant weather is nice.  If the weather gets too bad for your accommodations you might need to head home or seek better shelter.  Other times you may only need to adjust your wardrobe.  In any case, it always behooves you to check the weather where you are going before you get there!

Happy forecasting!

Getting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) When You Need It When Camping or Boating

We are so very fortunate to have highly qualified Emergency Medical Services readily available to us most of the time.  However, the further you go off grid in your recreational pursuits, the harder it will be contact them and the longer it will take for them to get to you -- if they can even find you!  One of the most frustrating things I experience as a volunteer firefighter is not having good information about the nature of an incident and where it is.  Our designated coverage area includes many miles of highway, forest, river, and lots of campgrounds.  Fortunately modern cell phones with GPS can sometimes be used to locate a caller and hopefully they are near where help is needed.  I've even seen them used to track lost hikers and guide rescuers right to them!  But I have also seen situations where the GPS we got was far from the site of an accident along the highway.  Callers often have to go some distance to get a signal and not all pieces of electronic equipment are equally accurate.   If your pursuits take you into remote areas and many of our outdoor activities like hiking, camping, OHV riding, horseback riding do, it will be even harder for EMS personnel to reach you or even find you!  In some locations you will find it hard to even get a signal to make that most important 911 call.  It behooves you to know how to contact emergency medical services and how to help them find you!

As a volunteer firefighter and EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) I am acutely aware of the dangers lurking in outdoor recreational activities and the difficulty involved in getting emergency help when needed.  Too often our response is delayed by incomplete or inaccurate information about the situation -- or by how long it takes for someone to finally make the call.  Sometimes delays are unavoidable, e.g., the caller must travel some distance before they get cell service.  But sometimes people just wait too long before reaching out for help.  My advice, is always call sooner rather than later.  First responders would rather go on a dozen calls where they might not even be needed than have someone suffer or even die because they weren't called soon enough.   When participating in outdoor recreational pursuits, especially when going off road or off grid, plan ahead for how you will respond to an emergency if someone becomes sick or injured and needs medical attention.  Know where you will have to go to get cell phone service or obtain other assistance.  In some remote locations you may have to go to a ranger station to get help.  Sometime you can get cell service by going to the top of a hill or driving back closer to the nearest town.  Know where you have to go to get a signal so you don't waste critical time searching for one.  Seconds count in a life-threatening emergency!

Off shore boaters may be able to avail themselves of assistance from the Coast Guard, but sailors on inland waters may have to rely on park rangers and other local emergency response services.  Navigable lakes and rivers are often some distance from the bases from which emergency services operate and not all emergency service departments have boats to respond to marine emergencies.  Boaters often need to return to the dock or shore to meet emergency responders.

Campers, RVers, OHVers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts often find themselves a long way from towns that have Emergency Medical Services.  Unfortunately, the kinds of activities we are often involved in increase the chances that we will need EMS.  Riding OHVs, working around campfires, maneuvering RVs and trailers, operating boats, rock climbing, and even just hiking can expose us to injuries we would not encounter at home.  At home it is pretty easy to dial "911" and get a quick response to get the help we need.  And then the time to reach the Emergency Room is usually pretty quick.  When we are out and about we may not have ready access to cell towers to even make the "911"call and once we do it will probably take some time for EMS resources to reach us, even if we give them good directions to our location.   Then it may take along time to transport the patient to an Emergency Room for treatment.  Thus it behooves us to make sure we know where to go to be able to make a call and how to help EMS find us.  Our rural fire department frequently makes use of Life Flight helicopters because we are 45-60 minutes away from any hospital.  In our area we have an insurance plane called FireMed that covers ambulance services and their premium service covers Life Flight.  You may want to obtain similar insurance in case you need efficient transport to the nearest medical facilities.

Today we all rely heavily on cell phones for basic communication.  The good news is that cell phones often have service in areas where there were never any land lines.  The bad news is that there aren't always cell towers near enough our outdoor activities to get service.Knowing where you have to go to get cell service just might mean the difference between life and death for an injured person.  Alternatives to cell phones might include CB and HAM radios that don't rely on cell towers.  Sometimes you can reach someone on the radio who has access to a telephone and can make that all important 911 call for you.  So, having and knowing how to use personal two-way radios could be a great advantage in an emergency.  CB channel 9 is the emergency channel but it is not as commonly monitored as it once was.  CB channel 13 is the unofficial RV channel.  However, the channel most commonly used by truckers is channel 19 and it has the best antenna efficiency so you might have better luck finding someone there.  You might be able to reach a trucker who is able to call 911 on his cell phone for you.  Be sure to give him the right information:  the nature of the emergency and the location, as correctly and concisely as possible.

Cell phone boosters are available that can extend the area of service for your cell phone, turning weak signals into usable signals.  Unfortunately they can't create a signal where there is none.  Cell phone boosters are kind of pricey, but you might find it worth the investment.  If you have anyone in your group that has any special medical conditions that might require fast emergency response, a cell phone booster might be a good investment.

Unfortunately, we face both higher chances of mishaps and slower EMS response times when we are camping or involved in other outdoor recreational pursuits.   Therefore we must be prepared so we can do our best to care for ill or injured companions and to expedite getting help for them when needed.  We can prepare ourselves to be able to care for sick or injured companions through basic and advanced first aid training, as frequently mentioned in this blog.  But we should also take steps to ensure we can expedite reaching EMS services and helping them to reach us.

There are a few things you can do to be better prepared if you do need to call EMS in a remote location.  First of all, I suggest you keep an eye on your cell phone reception as you approach your campground so you know where to go if you need to make an emergency call.  When boating, check your cell signal as you leave the dock.  Sometimes emergency calls can be made in fringe areas with weak signals, but just to be sure, know where you can get cell coverage when you need it.  Getting up on a hill top can sometimes help as it may get you above obstacles that would block the line-of-sight radio signals from the cell tower but if that isn't enough you should know how far back down the road you need to go to get cell service so you don't waste time searching for a signal, especially if you operate in waters.  Sometimes a cell phone booster in your vehicle and amplify cell signals in outlying areas.  Such systems typically cost several hundred dollars and will only work to boots weak signals, not get you a signal when there is none.  If you REALLY need remote access at all times you might consider a satellite phone, but those are still quite expensive to purchase and to operate.  Boaters may want to consider marine-band radios to expedite requests for emergency services, especially if you operate in waters under Coast Guard jurisdiction.    Land lubbers and boaters on inland waters may benefit from ham radios or even CB radios in some places.

Next, be prepared to provide accurate and concise directions so the 911 or other emergency response operator/dispatcher can tell the EMS team how to find you.   If you are in a developed campground, the name of the campground and your site identification should be sufficient to locate you.  However,  if you are in a dispersed camping area or out on a trail without clear landmarks to aid the EMS teams to find you, give the "911" operator the very best directions and distances you can.  You might be able to get geographic coordinates of your position from your cell phone or GPS and that would be helpful to emergency personnel trying to locate you.  If possible send someone down to an identifiable road or intersection to flag down the EMS vehicles and guide them to your location.  Be sure to give them a good description of your vehicle, tent, or other distinguishing characteristics of your camp site.  When boating always carry appropriate warning devices such as distress flags and flares.  Flares may be good for getting attention but are by nature, short lived.  Distress flags can be displayed throughout an emergency to alert other boaters to your need and guide  potential rescuers to you.

When you call "911" do your best to remain calm.  Think about what you need to tell them:  the nature of the injury or illness, when it happened or started, the age and gender of of the patient, and precise instructions for where you are and how to find you.  Also share any special circumstances, such as pre-existing conditions or physical disabilities your patient may have as that can have implications for responders.  You will probably we worried, frightened, excited, possibly somewhat flummoxed.  The hysterical reports 911 operators sometimes receive can be difficult to understand and can delay getting the response you need.   Try to be as calm and collected as possible so you can help them get you the help you need as quickly as possible.   Be prepared to listen to the instructions you are given by the 911 operator and carry them out exactly as given.  They are trained to provide proper directions for how you can best assist your patient until help arrives and help the EMS team get there as quickly as possible.  Be sure you understand the instructions you receive.  There is the story (fictional I hope!) about a hunter who calls 911 because his hunting buddy is was shot and he thought he was dead.  The 911 operator told him they should first make sure he was dead.  There was a short silence followed by a gun shot, then the hunter replied, Yes, I am sure he is dead!  I'm sure that wasn't what the 911 operator intended!  911 operators can often provide you with important, even life-saving, instructions.  Be prepared to do what you can until emergency services get there.

In some cases it may be beneficial to provide a signal to aid incoming responders.  In the day time that might consists of a brightly colored flag raised to where it can be easily seen from nearby access roads.  Or you might build a signal fire and load it up with green branches or leaves to create a column of smoke.  At night a large signal fire or flashing vehicle lights or flashlights can be helpful to responders who are trying to find you.  If you use a signal, be sure to let the "911" operator know what you are using so they can pass it along to the response team.  Just having someone stand where they can be seen from the road and jumping up and down and waving their arms can help rescuers find you.  Boaters will need to display distress flags or flares.  Aerial flares can be seen from a long distance but are fairly short lived.  Hand held flares can only be seen line of sight but usually burn for several minutes to help approaching responders to identify and locate you.  Displaying a proper distress flag throughout the duration of an emergency should be standard procedure.  Having someone keep an eye out for approaching responders and waving a bright colored flag (or shirt or jacket) to attract attention may be helpful.

Once you have called "911" stay with the patient at the location you gave the operator unless being there puts you and/or your patient in immediate danger.  If you must move, either notify the 911 operator, leave someone to tell EMS where you have gone, or keep your original location in sight.  It is usually best not to try to move an injured person before help arrives unless it is absolutely necessary.  Comply with all instructions you receive from the 911 operator to the best of your ability.

If you frequently visit places with little or no cell phone reception you might want to explore the options for boosting your cell signal.   Cell phone signal boosters are not cheap (several hundred dollars) but it still might be a good investment if you are often outside normal cell range.  If you or anyone in your regular group has been diagnosed with medical conditions that might make getting EMS help quickly a necessity, a cell phone booster may be well worth the cost.  Satellite phones are not dependent on cell towers and, since the transceivers for them are orbiting miles above the earth, they are usually not affected by mountains either.  Satellite phones are, however, still pretty darned expensive.  Phones start around $599 and can go up to thousands of dollars.  Plans start around $70 a month for 70 minutes of talk time.  You probably wouldn't want to use it for casual calls but it could be life saving to have those 70 minutes in a remote location.  Anyone with a high risk medical history or involved in high risk activities in remote locations should seriously consider getting a satellite phone for emergency use. If you have both high risk conditions and are involved in high risk activities you should probably consider a satellite phone as essential!

Another option for high risk situations is to carry a personal locator beacon.  A personal locator beacon, or PLB for short, is a personal electronic transmitting device that is designed to alert potential rescuers to a life-threatening situation in the air, on water or in remote areas.  They typically start a little north of  $200.  Higher priced units have more features.  All PLBs must be registered (free of charge) in the NOAA SARSAT (Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking) database to become active.  Once triggered during an emergency, the unit sends an SOS that alerts rescue teams to your exact location and tells them it is an emergency, likely life-threatening, situation.  PLBs don't require a monthly subscription.  Since you only turn them on when you need to send an SOS the batteries last a long time, up to 5 years.  When batteries need to be replaced the unit must be returned to the manufacturer for replacement.  Batteries should also be replaced after a unit has been activated.  I have heard that most manufacturers will give you a new unit if you have to activate one for a life-saving rescue.  Boaters sometimes use an Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), but they are quite a bit bigger and more expensive than PLBs and are usually only found on larger boats used in off-shore cruises.

Of course another option is for you -- or someone in your group -- to get certified in Emergency Medical procedures.   Even if EMS can reach you fairly quickly, having proper training can be useful until they get there.  Being able to provide appropriate immediate assistance can significantly reduce suffering and minimize complications. Sometimes it is even life saving!  If EMS personnel are far distant or delayed it is even more important for you to have qualified help with you.  Throughout my off road career I have endeavored to maintain first aid and CPR certification and more recently have obtained certification as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).  An EMR is the first level of EMS and historically was called first responder.  If you are involved in any kind of outdoor activities where serious injuries may occur you should know how to recognize and treat life threatening bleeding and to be able to identify and splint broken bones.  Those skills could well be life saving!  EMR training does not require the hundred of hours you need to become an EMT or paramedic, but it does give you the skills you need to provide appropriate treatment until a higher level of medical support arrives and that will provide your patients a lot of comfort and may even be life saving.  I have never personally provided life saving treatment to a fellow off roader but I have splinted broken bones and prepared patients for transport and am thankful I have the training to recognize and respond to life threatening situations if necessary.

Get the help you need help when you need it!

Weather Watches, Advisories, and Warnings for Campers and Boaters

The US Weather Service issues several levels of alerts.   They may include watches, advisories, and warnings.  While many people think they are all just different names the same kind of event, each term has a specific meaning.  Watches mean conditions are right for the stated event to occur so keep watch.  A watch may be upgraded to an advisory when the probability of the event happening reaches or exceeds 80%.  A warning means the event is imminent or is happening.  For example, a tornado watch says conditions are right for tornadoes to form.  A warning means a tornado has actually been spotted in the vicinity.  You might compare the three levels of weather alerts to the three levels of evacuation notice:  1:  Get Ready, 2:  Get Set, 3:  GO!  In both situations the first level tells you to be extra alert to the conditions around you, the second level says you need to begin taking appropriate actions because the threat is more likely, and the third tells you something bad is happening NOW!

The stated mission of the National Weather Service is "Provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy."  Although the mission does not specifically address the needs of campers and other outdoor enthusiasts (hopefully we do count under "life and property" and might be part of the national economy), their forecasts can be of great use to us -- if we understand and pay attention to the alerts!

Campers and other outdoor enthusiasts should know the meaning of these weather terms so they can take appropriate actions to ensure their safety.  Each type of alert has a specific meaning that you can use to prioritize your response.  All of them mean keep an eye on the weather!  Read more to see how close an eye you need to keep depending on the type of alert.

Weather Watch.  If you hear of a weather watch in the region near where you are camping, keep an eye on the sky, check radio forecasts regularly, and begin to make preparations in case you must evacuate.  A watch means conditions are right for the forecast to happen.  Start making plans and preparations for what to do it if/when it happens.

Weather Advisory.  If you get an advisory, you should immediately start preparing to evacuate or secure your camp site against impending weather problems.   An advisory means the probability of the event happening has reached about 80% or more.  At this point you want to be prepared to take shelter or get the heck out of there on a moment's notice.

Weather Warning.  If you hear a warning you should take immediate steps to either evacuate or secure your camp site.  A warning means the predicted event is imminent or has actually been seen.  This is when folks in tornado country head to their storm cellars.   A weather warning is similar to a Level 3 Evacuation notice.   Be ready to take action NOW!

You may get weather alerts on your phone or other personal electronic device, via radio (local stations or NOAA weather stations). be informed by a ranger, other law enforcement, or other local residents, or read about it in the newspaper or on your computer.  It is always a good idea to check weather for your destination and your route before leaving home.  Then, monitor radio stations en route and in camp and periodically check your cell phone if you have cell coverage in camp.  The more warning you have of an impending weather problem the better prepared you can be.   Good preparation can prevent damage in injuries while lack of preparation or poor preparation often leads to severe personal injuries and expensive damage to property.

It would not be prudent to go camping or boating if severe weather is expected where you are going.  Almost all trips can be rescheduled to a safer time.  Severe weather problems can quickly take the fun out of any outing and could turn one into a medical or financial disaster.  We once took a dirt biking trip to the Mojave Desert over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Weather was normal when we left home and in several years of our annual "Turkey In The Dirt" outings we had never encountered any unacceptable weather.  However, by the time we reached the dirt road turn off to our destination (about 150 miles from home) it had begun to snow and there was already 6-8 inches of snow on the dirt road.  Knowing the difficult, hilly terrain and rough condition of the dirt road to the camp site we wisely decided to reroute to a different venue that didn't involve such extensive off road travel.  By the time we reached our alternate destination the snow had slowed down and there was only 2-3 inches on the ground in our new location -- and our camp site was only a few dozen yards off the main road on solid, flat, hard-packed sand.  This was before we had weather on our cell phones and even before I bought a NOAA weather radio.  In fact, that trip was a contributing factor in acquiring a NOAA radio.

Keep a weather eye.  This saying, popularized on pirate movies, basically means stay alert while going about your normal business.  Wise sailors kept a "weather eye" on the sky so they didn't encounter surprise storms.  Still pretty good advice for anyone involved in outdoor recreational activities.   Even if you have good electronic forecasts it is still essential to keep an eye on the sky.  The sky above you is going to tell you a lot more about what is happening or going to happen than any weather report!

I subscribe to an emergency email service that delivers National Weather Service Alerts for my county.   It is a good way to stay up to date on potential weather problems that might affect us.  However, it is county-wide and our county extends literally from the mountains to the sea so we get storm warnings for surf advisories even though we are in the mountains about 1300 feet above sea level.  You can sign up at emergencyemail.org.

Most published or broadcast weather predictions are for rather large, general areas.   Even many "local weather"reports tend be be regional in nature.  Local weather can be significantly affected by mountains and bodies of water.  Since both mountains and bodies of water are typical destinations for campers and other outdoor recreationalists, we are likely to be affected by very local weather patterns that might not be reflected in general forecasts.  Consult a seasoned local expert for the best idea of what to expect where you are at any given time.  Rangers, law enforcement officers, fire departments, and even owners of retail business, farms and ranches, can often be a good source of what to expect from the local weather.

Watch out!

NOAA Weather Radios, an Asset for Campers, RVers, and Boaters

 This is a second post on NOAA Weather Radios.  Don't mean to be redundant, but it is a topic that, in my experience, is underrated.  I've met too many people who dont even know about NOAA weather radios, let alone use them!

NOAA Weather radio is a service of the National Weather Service (NWS), which, in turn, is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States of America.  The following Mission and Vision are taken directly from the National Weather Service website:

NWS Mission

Provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

NWS Vision

A Weather-Ready Nation: Society is prepared for and responds to weather, water, and climate-dependent events.

Although the mission statement doesn't specifically mention recreation, the forecasts are of great value to campers, hikers, boaters, hunters, and fisherman.  Or to anyone who is going to working or playing outdoors.  I believe we qualify under protection for life and property when involved in our outdoor recreational pursuits.

NOAA weather forecasts are available for almost all  geographic parts of the United States.  Speical NOAA radios will automatically pick up the local forecast just about anywhere you are. 

I've seen NOAA weather channels on a few car radios but usually you have to buy a special NOAA radio.  NOAA forecasts are updated frequently and give a fairly accurate prediction of regional weather.  The 7 day forecast is usually accurate about 80% of the time; the 5 day forecast is good about 90% of the time; but the 10 day forecast is only correct about 50% of the time.

Be aware that some camping venues are located in areas that kind of make their own weather.  This is especially true of mountains but large bodies of water and sometimes even deserts can also make their own weather.  Therefore, regional weather forecasts from NOAA or your local radio station may not always be a good predictor of what you will actually experience at a specific location but it is good place to start!

You can purchase NOAA weather radios at many places that sell camping equipment.  Some places that I've confirmed sell NOAA radios are Walmart, Amazon, Target, Cabellas and even Big Lots.  You can often find them on ebay too.  Some models include hand crank chargers so you never have to worry about running out of power.

NOAA also has a superb web site where you can get up-to-date weather information.   It is the National Weather Service website.  It is a fairly comprehensive website.  Be sure to explore the options as there are many features to assist you in understanding the forecast and finding out what you need to know.  One of my favorites is the Hourly Forecast, but the menu under FORECAST includes lots of useful options including, Graphical, Aviation, Marine, Rivers and Lakes, and Severe Weather that could be useful to campers and boaters.

Be weather wise!

Useful Electronic Devices When Camping

Why would anyone want to use electronic devices when camping?  Aren't camping and other outdoor activities a way to escape our dependence on electronic devices?  Absolutely!  Yet there may be times, if we are carefully selective, when electronic devices may actually enhance our fun.  Teenagers today are highly connected to their electronic devices and would likely consider total disconnection to be cruel and unusual punishment.  While learning to live without them has its character-building advantages, being able to accommodate their occasional wants and needs may make a trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Our modern world is highly dependent on electronic devices.  We rely on our computers, cell phones, GPSs and (at least for teens and wannabe teens) hand-held video games.  While we often go camping to escape some of the electronic tethers that tend to control our lives, there are also times we will want or even need to use them.  All of these are marvelous inventions that provide wonderful capabilities, but they also require support, most importantly power and often cell tower or Internet access.  Both electrical power and cell tower or Internet access are often scarce in a camping environment.  If you are car camping or in an RV you should have ready access to 12-volt battery power.  Many RVs also have 120-volt generators. Inverters can convert 12 volt DC power from the battery in your car or RV to 120 volt power to run electronic gadgets.  If you take your portable devices with you out on the trails, you may need to bring along some kind of auxiliary battery or charger to recharge them.  Solar chargers are especially well-suited for camping and other off road endeavors.

One of the most useful devices for campers is a GPS system or a cell phone with GPS.  Being able to get turn-by-turn directions to where you’re going saves a lot of unintended detours and can avoid a lot of bad roads, traffic, and construction.  Some GPS systems are even appropriate for off-road use, tracking your exact route and allowing you to reverse the route to get back to camp should you get disoriented or encounter poor visibility that would prevent you from using landmarks to find your way back.   The digital camera on most modern cell phones can be an invaluable aid if you have to make repairs in the field.  Take a picture of things BEFORE you take them apart so you have a good reference for how they go back together.

CB radios and FMRS/GMRS walkie talkies can provide excellent short-range communications between vehicles in a convoy or between riders or hikers out on a trail.   FMRS radios do not require a license.  GMRS radios have some higher output channels that give you greater range but do require an FCC license.  Some of the FMRS/GMRS channels overlap CB channels so you can use your CB base station in camp to monitor communications among members of your group out on the trail. That might be particularly important if someone needs assistance, such as mechanical problems or a medical emergency.  HAM radios can give you greater range, especially if you can make use of  "repeaters" operated by Ham Radio Clubs or other organizations in the area.  HAM signals sometimes take advantage of "skip" to reach far distant stations.  That means you might be able to reach someone on the other side of the country but not someone behind the next hill!

We have successfully used inexpensive walkie-talkies to communicate between riders on dirt bike rides.  We just pack the radios in a pocket of the Cambelbak hydration packs we're already wearing.  Headsets with microphones and either voice activated or push-to-talk switches let use use them without taking them out or even removing our helmets.  There are also really nice helmet mounted communication systems that work very well but they tend to be a bit more expensive than common walkie-talkies, like about 10 times the cost!

 

For many years portable radios have provided information and entertainment in campgrounds and on the trail.  A popular option is a pocket size transistor radio.  Some of them even have FM steror sound and the often fit in your pocket!  Portable cassette and CD players provide even more options.  Just make sure you bring extra batteries or have a way to recharge your equipment.  Solar chargers are especially appealing to tent campers but even RVers can put them to good use.   They can be used to obtain important weather reports that might affect your outing as well as providing entertainment and background music for some activities.  NOAA weather radios are particularly good for this.

Laptops, tablets, and smart phones give us highly portable computer power we can use almost anywhere we go.  If you happen to be within range of a cell tower, you may even be able to access the Internet from your phone or tablet.  That can be helpful if you need help with an emergency repair or just to look up some bit of information relevant to your situation.  And, if you really need an electronic "fix" for your gaming or movie addiction, you might be able to accommodate even that.  We have taken advantage of the hot spot on our cell phones to power Internet to bring Roku to the TV in our RV, giving us almost ulimited movies and TV shows to escape bad weather in camp.

Portable electronic devices depend on reliable battery power.  Hand-held CBs and walkie talkies may have rechargeable or replaceable batteries.  You can usually remove rechargeable battery packs and replace them with ordinary batteries in a  pinch.  Always carry a good supply of replacement batteries for all your hand-held devices.  Cell phones and GPSs usually have only rechargeable batteries so you will need a way to recharge them in camp.  Many such devices these days use a USB charge cable that can be connected to a computer or 12-volt or 120-volt charger.  12-volt chargers plug into the cigarette lighter or 12-volt power receptacle on your vehicle or battery power pack.  You can purchase pocket-sized auxiliary battery packs with USB connectors to recharge most GPSs, cell phones, etc if you need or want to carry extra power with you out on the trail.  In camp you can use the 12-volt charger plugged into your vehicle.  We have noticed that our cell phones charge faster using the 120-volt wall charger than with the 12-volt car charger so we usually use a small inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter to power the wall charger to charge our portable devices.   One advantage to the car chargers are that they are fairly inexpensive.  You can even get them at Dollar Tree, along with standard sync cables for Android phones (Lighting cables for iPhones are harder to find and more expensive).  Be aware that although the car chargers may look the same they may not always act the same and deliver the same performance as the OEM chargers from your phone manufacturer.  In some cases, using an unapproved charger may even void your warranty!  However, in my experience, the only problems I have encountered have more to do with reliability and longevity and a longer charging time.  I have also discovered that all 12-volt chargers usually take longer to charge my phone than a wall charger.  So we usually use a small inverter that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car and then run the wall charger off that instead of using a 12-volt charger. 

Using high-quality replaceable batteries will usually give you the best performance and they will usually last longer than cheaper batteries.  Alkaline batteries are usually better than standard batteries and newer lithium ion batteries can deliver even better performance, but in each case you pay for what you get.  Because my backup batteries often sit around in my camp kit or motorhome for some time before getting used I tend to avoid stocking up on high priced batteries that may be dead by the time I need them.  Instead, I stock up on inexpensive batteries at Dollar Tree or get them on coupon sales at Harbor Freight so I always have plenty on hand for each trip.

Portable power packs (rechargeable batteries) can be used to power or recharge cell phones and other small hand-held devices on the go.  A attractive alternative that provides free power (once you pay for the charger!) is a solar battery charger.  These use solar panels to charge your batteries using only sunlight.  The only problems I’ve found with them are that 1) they tend to be a little pricey and 2) the are usually somewhat awkward to carry conveniently when hiking or trail riding.  However, both the cost and the effort to bring them along may be well worth it to be able to recharge your devices in remote areas.  Portable solar chargers that are small enough to be carried with you are becoming fairly affordable and can mean the difference between using your cell phone or simply cursing it!  For many years I used a small solar charger that plugged into the cigarette lighter and sat on the dashboard to add a little extra power to my vehicle batteries in camp.  It wouldn't recharge a dead battery but it acted liked a trickle charger to help keep batteries charged during daylight hours.  It was inexpensive (under $30) and very easy to use.

Because our excursions away from camp are usually measured in hours, not days, I don’t usually carry spare batteries with me out on the trail.  I just check batteries in radios and flashlights before each outing and replace any that are getting low before we take off.  If you are going to be back-packing or engaging in some other activity where you will be away from your base camp for more than a few hours you may want to carry spare batteries for your flashlights, lanterns, and your electronic devices.  Solar LED lanterns are becoming a viable option for remote camping.  Some even have USB  ports to charge your cell phones or other small electronic devices.  They are kind of the best of both worlds:  efficient portable light that can be recharged for free anywhere you have sunlight.  I wouldn’t recommend them for spelunking or cave diving!   Just remember to take them out of your tent and put them out in the sun every day to recharge.  LEDs low power demand means you get the most out of each charge.  I've seen an LED lantern still bright for months after being left on in the barn all night.  Do that with an ordinary incandescent type light and the battery would have been long dead way before morning!

While RV camping with 12 volt battery banks and 120 volt generators lends itself to the use of just about all the electronic (and electric) gadgets you have at home, tent campers may be able to avail themselves of many electronic opportunities.  With lots of battery powered devices and with modern portable generators now being smaller, quieter, and more affordable, even tent campers can enjoy a wide range of modern conveniences in camp.

Solar chargers, hand cranked chargers, and battery packs are available to recharge cell phones and other small USB devices out on the trail.  You will see USB charging ports built in to some solar lanterns and even propane powered stoves!

One more important aspect for using electronic devices when camping:  be thoughtful and courteous to your fellow campers.  Just because you like the sound turned up until you can feel the bass doing CPR on your chest doesn't mean the people around you will appreciate it!  Radios, CD players, and TVs are generally the worst offenders but sometimes people are lax about using noisy power tools around camp too, so think about where you are and what time it is and who or what other activities your use of electronic or electric devices is going to impact. We once had a bunch of teenagers roll into camp about 3:00 am with a stereo blasting at what had to be at least 1000 watts!  Fortunately, to their credit, a polite word with the resolved the problem.

Stay connected!

Fall Camping

Fall is when most campers put their stuff away for the winter.  But there are some really great experiences to be enjoyed as the leaves begin to turn.  Weather won't be too bad yet and is usually even more comfortable than hot summer days.  The cooler evenings are perfect for campfires.  You probably won't have to deal with freezing weather in early fall, but, depending on how high up in the mountains you go and how late in the season it is, you might encounter some pretty cold nights so be prepared to protect you and your equipment against snow and freezing overnight temperatures.  And bring your  cold weather clothing too.

Fall brings colorful leaf changes in many parts of the country.  Be sure to check out potential locations near you where you can enjoy the bright yellows, oranges, and reds as deciduous trees prepare to shed their leaves for the winter.  The only downside to seeking good viewing of fall foliage is that you may encounter heavier than normal traffic as others take the "scenic route" to also enjoy the colors.  Be aware that it is often freezing temperatures that trigger the dramatic changes in leaf color, so don't be surprised if you encounter very cold nights, especially at higher elevations.

Fall doesn't usually deliver the freezing temperatures of winter, but Mother Nature may choose to surprise you, so be prepared.  I remember a "Fall Encampment" I did with with one of my sons in Boy Scouts when it dipped to 24° overnight.  The next day it stayed pretty cold and we even got some snow.  The California boys were totally unprepared for temperatures that cold and took turns warming their hands and other body parts in front of the fireplace in the lodge.  Make sure the furnace in your RV is in good working order and that you have sufficient propane and battery power to keep it going.  If you're tent camping, bring along your tent heater and/or your cold weather sleeping bags -- or an extra set of sleeping bags in case you need to double up to keep warm.  And, of course, bring along plenty of firewood!  Campfires are always nice but are REALLY nice in colder weather!

Fall weather is usually more volatile than summer weather.  It might be beautiful when you leave home, but that can change rapidly, so be sure to check the forecast before you leave home and then monitor the weather during your outing.  A NOAA weather radio is one of the best ways to monitor regional weather but just listening to local radio stations may be useful. And, of course, keep an eye on the sky and check with local rangers or fellow campers familiar with the area to know what to expect for local conditions.  Remember, mountains, which are often a first choice of campers, often generate their own weather so what you see might not show up on regional forecasts.  While the weather seems to be rather fickle almost all year round, the fall variations tend to deliver  more unpleasant surprises than spring and summer. 

Camping facilities, especially Forest Service and other government run campgrounds, may begin to shut down as winter approaches.  Sometimes that means they are completely closed.  Other times they may have already shut off the water to faucets and bathrooms, but the camp sites ares still open to those who come prepared to do without an on site water source.  Commercial venues are less likely to shut down but you may still encounter some reduction in services so always check ahead of time so you don't get surprised and have to forgo your planned activities or seek out a different destination.

If you are camping at a full hookup campground in an RV, be sure to bring along some heat tape to wrap your city water connection (hose and faucet) in case you encounter any freezing temperatures.  Often it is freezing overnight temperatures that trigger the magnificent change of leaf color that makes fall camping so much fun.  A heated water hose will solve part of the problem but you'll still need to protect the faucet itself with heat tape.  If you don't have heat tape, disconnect your hose from the faucet, drain it, and store it inside a protected cabinet each night.  If you leave it connected, the frost-free faucet can't drain and both your unheated hose and the faucet can freeze.  The faucet can still freeze if you use a heated hose.  If that happens YOU will be liable to the campground for the cost of repairing the freeze damaged faucet!  As you can imagine, they are not cheap and the labor to dig them up and replace them is not trivial, especially if the ground is frozen!  

When boondocking, make sure you have plenty of propane.  You're likely to use more for cooking and hot water as well as keeping the furnace going on colder nights.   You can get an "Extend-a-Stay" kit to connect an external propane tank to a motorhome to supply extra fuel for normal propane appliance, but since it supplies gas, it won't work for generators which tap into the liquid in the bottom of the fixed propane tank.  Night time temperatures can be surprisingly cold during fall weather. 

Cooler fall days are often a good time to hit the trails on your dirt bike, ATV, mountain bike, horse, or just hiking.  Moderate temperatures make for pleasant outings.  It is usually much easier to dress in layers to accommodate cooler weather than to try to stay cool when temperatures soar.  After all, there is only so much clothing you can remove when it gets too hot!

Fall is often hunting season in many parts of the country.  That can be a mixed blessing.  You may want to go camping to do some hunting, but if you are not a hunter, you may find yourself wandering around where they're likely to be shooting so you'll want to take appropriate precautions.  Wearing bright orange clothing is one way of distinguishing yourself from potential game but it is a better idea to avoid tramping around in popular hunting areas in the first place.  Most hunters are thoughtful and careful but there are always a few bad apples that spoil things for everyone else.  When I was growing up in Idaho a hunter was bragging in the barber shop that he "got off some sound shots but didn't hit anything".  When the barber asked him what he meant by "sound shots" he said "I heard a noise in the bushes and shot at it, but I didn't hit anything."  The barber proceeded to shave stripe down the middle of his head from front to back in a kind of reverse mohawk and when confronted by the hunter for what he did he defended his actions with a straight razor in his hand and said, in affect,"guys like you should be marked so everyone know who you are".  Other patrons in the shop quickly backed up the barber and the angry customer calmed down and departed without further incident.  Taking any shot without a clear view of the target -- and what's behind it -- is never a good idea.  Even if you're lucky and don't hit something you shouldn't (like a fellow hunter!), obstacles in the path of the arrow or even a bullet can deflect the shot so you miss your intended target and possible hit something you didn't intend to shoot.

Fall into fun!

Camping Weather

What is camping weather?  That depends on who you are and what kind of camping you want to do.  For most people camping weather is a nice, sunny but not too hot summer day,   A few hardy souls go camping in the winter and brave the snow and cold on purpose, but most people prefer milder weather for their outings.  Most folks think of camping as a summer activity, perhaps spilling over into warm days of spring and fall.  Daytime temperatures in the 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit are quite pleasant.  If it gets warmer or colder than that, human beings begin to get pretty uncomfortable.  Lower temperatures are sometimes acceptable if you're going to be involved in strenuous physical activity that will keep you warm.  Temperatures in the 60s are often ideal for OHV or horseback riding or even strenuous hiking if you're dressed for it.  Higher temperatures are enjoyed by people involved in water sports where they can frequently cool down in the water.  But sitting around camp when its over 100°F or below 60°F isn't anyone's idea of fun.  A good rain storm can be fun -- if you're prepared and can stay dry while you watch it from a comfortable place (in your tent or RV or under some kind of awning or canopy or other protected spot).  Most of us wouldn't choose rain as ideal camping weather.  But sometimes it does catch up with us even when we try to avoid it.  Some folks go out in winter, setting up a base camp for other activities, such as skiing, ice skating,  ice fishing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing.  But most of us don't think of snow and freezing temperatures as ideal camping weather.  And you need an RV that is specially equipped to handle freezing temperatures if you're going to be camping in winter.  That means heated plumbing and holding tanks as well as a well insulated coach and a large enough furnace (or auxiliary heat) to keep you warm.  Staying warm when tent camping in winter mostly means dressing right and having a warm enough sleeping bag.  Tent heaters may help, but exercise caution to prevent them from damaging and/or igniting your tent and maintain sufficient ventilation to prevent suffocation.  Because tents don't have a lot of insulation, it is difficult to keep them warm.  Tent heaters will consume large amounts of fuel and a significant amount of heat will simply be lost through the tent fabric.  That being said, I was quite surprised how much colder it was outside my tent when I crawled out bed one morning on a scout outing with one of my boys.  It was very noticeably warming in the tent. and that was with little or no breeze.

How do you keep track of the weather while camping?  Well, first of all, keep an eye on the sky.  The shape, color, and movement of clouds can give you a pretty good idea of what is coming.  These days we also have great electronic resources such NOAA weather radios and weather apps on our cell phones.

Modern weather forecasting takes advantage of many tools not available to our ancestors.  Radar, satellite images, and computer prediction models help create ever more accurate forecasts.  I've heard that there are already computer models than can predict the weather with 100% accuracy, but it takes about 48 hours to run a 24 hour forecast so until efficiency improves they are of little use.  I have been pleasantly surprised by how accurate the 7-day forecast is usually is on weatherbug.com.  By the way, the further out the forecast, the less accurate it will be.  The U.S. Weather Service used to publish a 30 day forecast, but dropped it because the accuracy wasn't as good as they had hoped.  It would be a good idea to check the 7-day or 10-day forecast for your route and destination before you take off on each trip.  That way you can plan better for clothing, appropriate meals and refreshments, and activities.  If its going to be cooler or stormier than you planned you might want to switch your menu from hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the campfire to some nice home-made chili heated up inside your cozy RV!

No matter what the forecast when you leave home, it is probably going to change before you get back unless you're going to be gone only a very short time.  With that in mind it is a good idea to keep an eye on the weather while your away.  Local radio stations and NOAA weather radio broadcasts can provide useful information but knowing how to interpret signs in the immediate area may be a more direct and more accurate measure of what to expect.  Many locations, especially mountains and large bodies of water, have their own micro environments that can create their own weather that probably won't show up on the weather service forecast.  Local sources, such as rangers and residents may have some insight into local weather you won't get from the radio or TV forecast.  Clouds and their behavior are one of the best predictors of weather.  High, thin, cirrus clouds almost always mean good weather.  Low, dark, roiling clouds often mean rain or storms.  Uniform gray clouds might deliver showers but most often don't.  Find out from which direction your weather normally comes and monitor the skies in that direction.  Barometers display changes in air pressure.  High pressure usually accompanies fair weather, low pressure is identified with stormy weather. If the barometer is rising, it is normally a predictor of good weather where as dropping barometric pressures may mean an approaching storm.  Strong winds and other violent weather often occur along a "front" where two masses of air of different pressure and temperatures collide.

Old weather sayings, often accredited to sailors, shepherds, or farmers, often have some basis in meteorlogical fact.  One of the most popular is the old rhyme:

     "Red at night, sailor's delight
      Red at morning, sailor take warning."

This apparently originated in England where most of the weather comes from the west.  "Red at night" is often caused by dust particles in the air, indicating dry air and probably high pressure is approaching from the west and, therefore, good weather on the way.  "Red at morning" on the other hand means the dry air has already passed and wetter, cooler weather may be on the way,.  A morning sky that is a deep, fiery red can indicate that there is high water content in the atmosphere. So, rain could be on its way.

Another with some merit is "No weather is ill if the wind is still."   Calm winds, especially with clear skies, are normally associated with areas of high pressure, indicating good weather.  However, remember too, "the calm before the storm".  Thunderstorms often develop even though surface winds are low.  In addition, there is the "eye of the storm" where winds and clouds are clear smack in the middle of a large storm like a hurricane or typhoon. In that case you may just have time to catch your breath before the next round of nasty weather descends on you, often with winds changing direction.

Some people believe their own joints can predict the weather.  There may actually be a sliver of truth behind this one.  Changes in barometer pressure can affect body fluids,  A drop in barometric pressure may trigger pain due to swelling in joints as the internal fluids slowly react to the change in pressure.

My grandmother used to say "Sunshiny showers won't last half an hour."   If the sun is shining while it is raining, there is a very good chance the rain clouds will indeed pass by quickly.  Of course the timing may be affected by whether the sun is peeking through ahead or behind the storm but either way rain from scattered clouds isn't likely to continue for very long.

Another folk tale is that you can tell the temperature by crickets' chirps.   Apparently this actually works.  If you have the patience, count the number of chirps in 14 seconds and add 40 to get Fahrenheit temperature.  Sorry, don't have the formula for Centigrade wihtout all the normal conversion calculations!

These days you can buy your own weather stations to have in your home or take with you camping.  They can measure local conditions and give you an instant forecast.   I've tried a couple of them and while I found the measurements of temperature, humidity, and wind speed and direction fairly accurate and useful, I didn't find the forecast particularly accurate.  If  you install your own weather station, be aware that it may take some time -- perhaps even a few weeks -- for it to calibrate itself to your local conditions so it can give an accurate forecast.  That being said, portable weather stations may not have time to acclimate themselves as you travel but is is always good to have instruments to at least measure temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.  You may find knowing wind speed and direction helpful too, if only to know whether or not to light a campfire and on which side to sit if you do. 

One of my favorite weather station anecdotes is that of the "Weather String".   Tie a string outsdie your window.   If you can see it, the sun is out.  If it is wet it is raining. If it is moving the wind is blowing.  If it is frozen stiff it is cold.  If you can't see it it is either dark (night time) or foggy.  As silly as that may sound, there is some value in simple weather tools.  Many rural airports still rely on the old fashioned wind sock to give pilots an indication of wind speed and direction so the weather string as a wind measuring device just might not be too bad an idea.  Those cute little colorful windsocks designed to hang on your awning may actually be of some use in measuring wind direction and velocity.  Very often, an RV's monitor panel will include a barometer and thermometer.  The thermometer usually only displays inside temperature so you may want to invest in an indoor/outdoor thermometer.  RV stores sometimes have clear thermometers that mount on the outside of a window so you an easily read outside temperature from inside your RV.  Some even include a humidity gauge.  Those placed on dual pane windows will be more accurate than ones stuck on single pane glass, because both temperatures may be more affected by the heat coming through the glass.  Knowing the outside temperature will help you plan outdoor activities, dress appropriately, and give you some indication of whether you need to take measures to deal with freezing temperatures.  If you buy an electronic indoor/outdoor thermometer you will need to find an appropriate place to mount the outside sensor.  You want it where it will not be in direct sunlight or affected by vehicle systems (furnace, fridge, hot water heater, generator, vehicle engine or exhaust).  One good place on newer RVs with slide outs is in the channel surrounding the slide out.  If that doesn't work for you or you don't have slide outs, look for a spot that is protected from the sun but gets adequate exposure to outside air.  Some possibilities might include the side of the RV right under the rolled up awning or anyplace it will not be in direct sunlight, like on the back side of a bumper.  Avoid wheel wells because water, snow, and other debris kicked up by the tires will affect the reading and probably damage the sensor or knock it off.

Smart phones often have weather apps or you can get weather apps for them.    Of course you must be within range of a cell tower for it to work, but it is sometimes surprising how far coverage reaches out into camping territory.

NOAA weather radios and local radio stations are a good source of current weather forecasts.  However, be aware that there are often micro weather environments around mountains or large bodies of water that create their own weather, which may differ drastically from the regional forecast.  Locals and frequent visitors are usually a good source of weather lore.  As with any radio you have to be within range of the transmitter to receive a signal.  NOAA transmitting stations are designed to provide as broad coverage as possible but you might still have trouble in steep canyons or behind large mountains.

In several areas where I've lived, the weather by-word is "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute".  That is certainly more true some places than others, but weather can and often does change frequently just about everywhere.  With that in mind, it is a good idea to be prepared when you're camping.  Keep rain gear handy and be prepared to wait out occasional bouts of stormy weather with appropriate refreshments and indoor activities.  Since things usually cool down when it rains, hot beverages and related snacks are a comfortable treat during stormy weather, something you might easily forget when planning a summer trip.  Given the large variety of micro-environments that we can encounter in our travels, expect the unexpected.  Campers often like to go to the forests and the mountains.  Mountains often make their own local weather which might not conform to regional weather forecasts.  In that case, electronic forecasts aren't going to be as much use as being able to recognize what is likely to happen based on local conditions.  For that you need experience -- or access to someone with experience.

You may have heard the term "keep a weather eye".  In general it means to keep a careful watch on a situation without involving your full attention.  Obviously it was derived from actually watching the weather, most likely by sailors.  It is excellent advice for campers.

Be weather wise.

NOAA Weather Radios

NOAA Weather Radios have been mentioned in several posts.  So just what is NOAA and why should I bother listening to NOAA Weather Radio?  NOAA stands for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service.  NOAA weather radios will only be useful to residents or travelers in the United States and its territories.   The broadcast service is NOAA Weather Radio or NWR.  NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural disasers (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental problems (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).  NWR includes 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories.

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can only be received by radios specially equipped to receive the NOAA frequencies.  Specialized radios that receive ONLY NOAA weather broadcasts are available, starting at about $20 . Enter "NOAA Weather Radio" into your favorite search engine and you'll be rewarded with hundreds of possibilities.  Some CB, HAM,, survival radios, and even some car radios include access to NOAA channels.

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   The forecast repeats every few minutes.  That means you don't have to sit there waiting for a local radio station to get around to doing the weather. You can tune in immediately and get current forecasts and alerts. The best NOAA radios will respond to alerts and turn themselves on (from stand by mode) so you don't miss an important change in weather conditions.  An even more sophisticated service called Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) allows users to program some specially equipped radios to specific geographical areas instead of entire regions.  Some of the newer radios have LED displays that indicate the type of alert so you can tell at a glance if it is something you need to pay immediate attention to.

NOAA Weather Radio channels may be built into some dash-mounted car radios and CB radios. Many HAM radios can be tuned to NOAA Weather Radio frequencies if you know what they are (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550).  Stand alone units range from small, hand-held models, to more sophisticated and expensive "base station" designs intended for desk or office use.  Base stations might be suitable for RV applications where you'll have 120 volt power available to operate them and will give you more power and greater range.  Hand-held models can be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle, used in camp, or even carried on the trail.   I have an older Radio Shack battery powered radio that is a cube of about 2 1/2" and has a built-in telescoping antenna.  It works really well in camp, but is not designed to withstand the rigors of being carried in pocket or pack.  Portable hand-held models are designed to be carried in a pocket or pack and would be very useful on the trail.

Types of broadcasts.  There are several different types of informational broadcasts transmitted on NOAA Weather Radio.  The major categories include alerts, routine forecast products (hourly observations, hazardous weather outlook, zone forecast product, regional weather synopsis, and the daily climate summary), Specialty Forecast Products (Short term or "NOW" forecast, special weather statements, tabular state forecast, record information announcement, surf zone forecast, river forecast, lake forecast, coastal waters forecast, off shore waters forecast, and tropical weather summary).   The NOAA Weather Radio also participates in the Emergency Alert System and runs a test every Wednesday between 10:00 AM and noon.  For detailed descriptions of each product see the definition of NOAA Weather Radio on Wikipedia.

The benefits of having  NOAA Weather Radio in camp on on the trail are pretty obvious.  You always have immediate access to up to date weather conditions and forecast.  Knowing what is coming can make the difference between an disaster and simply weathering out the storm.

Listen up!

Monitoring The Weather While Camping or Boating

How often have we heard or even experienced the cliche of rain spoiling the picnic?  Sometimes this problem can be avoided by paying appropriate attention to the weather forecast or just by keeping a close eye on the sky.  NOAA weather radios and local radio stations can be a good source for regional weather forecast but you can't beat the experience of local or frequent visitors to a particular location for good weather information.

Weather is very likely to be of more concern to you when camping than it is at home.  At home we usually just adjust the thermostat and wait out bad weather.   You may have to adjust your wardrobe if you're going outside depending on the weather forecast, but mostly we move from one climate controlled indoor space to another, usually via climate controlled vehicles, so weather isn't so critical.  Whether you're camping in a tent or a luxury RV, weather will affect your comfort, your travel plans, and your activities.  A comfortable RV will usually provide adequate protection from the elements as long as you don't run out of resources, like fuel or battery power.  Tent campers are far more affected by weather and usually can do little about it but endure it or pack it up and go home. However, if you are properly prepared, you can be comfortable in your RV or your tent in just about any kind of weather.   In order to be prepared, you need to know what to expect.  Maintaining a comfortable temperature in a tent will be more difficult than in an RV, but if you are properly prepared, you can at least make it bearable.  You might be able to retire to your vehicle to keep warm in particularly nasty weather.  Or at least you can dress to stay warm.  But first you have to know what kind of weather to expect, then how to deal with it.  If you left home in warm sunny weather and only brought light clothes you'll have a hard time keeping warm if it turns cold and/or rains.

Weather can be even more of a problem for boaters.   Wind and rain can really wreak havoc when you are out on the water.  Thunderstorms are an even greater threat to boaters than to land-lubbers, especially if you are in a sailboat with a tall mast.

Check the forecast before you leave home.  The first step is to check your local forecast before you even leave home.  Your local newspaper, radio and TV stations, and weather sites on the Internet are good places to get some idea of what to expect.  My favorite Internet weather source is Weatherbug. It can be accessed on at Weatherbug.com.   It is also available as a downloadable gadget that constantly monitors the local weather forecast.  It constantly displays the current temperature on the status bar of your PC and sounds a chirping sound when an alert is posted for your selected area.   It includes a forecast up to 7 days.  Be aware that the Weatherbug gadget was once considered to be adware but the latest buzz on the 'net says it isn't far enough across the line to warrant concern.  Once you know the weather forecast for where you're going you can decide whether to proceed with your trip or not and, if you decided to go anyway, what kind of preparations you need.  What you bring along will vary greatly depending on the forecast. "Heat wave" will dictate light weight clothing coupled with cooling techniques, cold beverages, and frozen treats.   On the other hand, a prediction of cold and/or wet weather requires warm clothing, rain gear, extra blankets,  auxiliary heat, and warm treats.

Weather watches versus warnings etc.  There seems to be some confusion about the terms "watch" and "warning".   Many people use the terms interchangeably -- and incorrectly.  Each has a specific and somewhat different meaning.  A "watch" means conditions are right for a chance of the indicated condition.   A "warning" means the condition is happening or is likely to happen.  A third alert, "advisory" is sort of between a watch and a warning, indicating the specified weather has a "pretty good chance" of occurring.   A watch means keep your eye out for the condition; an advisory means REALLY keep your eye out and start making preparations; a warning means it is happening or its probably happening and you should be taking immediate steps to protect lives and property.  For example, when you hear a tornado warning for you area, seek safe shelter IMMEDIATELY!  If it is just a watch, start making preparations so you'll be ready when the warning is issued.  Make sure you know where you and your family are going to go and that you have necessary supplies prepared (food, water, clothing, flashlights, tools, etc).  For example, a tornado watch means conditions are right for tornadoes to form and a tornado warning means tornadoes have been sighted in the area.  In short, a watch condition means start making preparations; a warning means take cover NOW!  When I hear an advisory I figure it is time to get ready to take cover and to closely monitor ongoing reports.  Your tent or even your RV isn't going to provide sufficient protection against tornadoes.  If you are in areas where tornadoes occur, check to see if there is a shelter nearby or look for someplace relatively save, like under an underpass.  Basements or cellars usually offer the best protection within buildings but if you are in a building that doesn't have them, go into closet or bathroom without windows.  A bathroom has the advantage of some additional structural integrity due the plumbing in the walls.  Bathrooms are usually fairly small and have small windows, which also makes them less susceptible to wind and changes in air pressure that accompany tornadoes.  However, tornadoes bring a sudden drop in air pressure which can cause buildings filled with air at normal pressure to explode.

Monitor weather forecasts in camp or on the water by listening to a local radio station or using a NOAA weather radio.  The NOAA weather radio provides continuous local weather reports in most areas of the United States.  If you have satellite or wifi Internet access or a Smart phone you can check weather on your favorite web sites too.  One of the things I like about the Weatherbug app on my computer is that it "chirps" whenever there is any kind of severe weather indicated for my area.

Keep an eye on the sky.  Regardless of the forecast, keep an eye on the sky.  Invest a little time online or in the library learning a little about clouds and what they mean . Cloud forms and movement are pretty good indicator of pending weather.  You can also get printed scales that let you estimate wind speed by observing the movement of leaves, branches, flags, etc.   Check it out at Estimating Wind Speed.  For example, if the flag is fully extended and makes a popping sound, the wind is about 30 mph.  If you're camped where you can hear crickets, you can estimate the temperature by counting cricket chirps.  For the temperature in Fahrenheit, count the chirps in 14 seconds and add 40.  For example, 30 chirps in 14 seconds plus 40 = 70°F. For Celsius, count the chirps in 25 seconds, divide by 3, and add 4.  Example: 48 chirps in 25 seconds divided by 3 = 16 plus 4 = 20°C.   Know what direction weather usually comes from and note any changes in clouds in that direction.  Large, dark, roiling clouds will usually bring rain or snow and sometimes thunderstorms fairly soon.  High cirrus clouds (high wispy clouds) in and of themselves seldom produce any precipitation but are usually the leading edge of an approaching weather system that may bring rain or snow within a few hours.   A low, even overcast may dampen your spirits but usually doesn't dampen anything else very much.   Fog will inhibit visibility and condensation may dampen awnings, tents, table clothes, camp chairs, and OHV seats.

Talk to the locals.   People who live or work or frequent a particular area get used to the weather patterns and can often be a good source for predicting what is going to happen in the near future.  Since camping destinations are often on or near mountains, be aware that mountains often create their own local weather that won't show up on regional forecasts.  The same is often true of large bodies of water.

Develop some weather prediction skills of your own.   Predict-the-Weather-Without-a-Forecast is a web site with some simple lessons for predicting the weather using only what you see or feel around you by observing clouds, wind, and/or animal behavior.  Clouds are probably your most obvious source of weather information.  High, wispy clouds or no clouds usually indicate good weather while low, dark, roiling clouds signal a storm.  An even, gray overcast usually doesn't produce rain or snow but often means cooler temperatures.  Interestingly enough, a clear sky at night usually means cooler temperatures too.

"Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning, red sky at night, sailor's delight" is an old weather proverb that may actually have some scientific basis.  Sunlight reflecting off clouds may indicate rain or shine depending on where the clouds are and from which direction weather usually comes.  In the northern latitudes, weather usually moves from west to east, thus the "red sky" predictions.   This same phenomenon is captured in the Holy Bible: "When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say: There cometh a shower: and so it is" (Luke 12:54) and "When it is evening ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, it will be foul weather today:  for the sky is red and lowering" (Matt. 16:2–3).  Moist air will create a yellow or gray sky sunset and dry air will yield a crimson sky (Red at night, sailor delight, assuming weather is coming from the west where it normally comes from due to the Earth's rotation.

Leaves sometimes are a pretty good indicator of pending rain.  Two trees are particularly known for this:  Silver Maples and Gensus Oaks.   The change in barometric pressure due to an approaching storm will cause the leaves to turn over so their light undersides are exposed. This has to do with variations in the veins on the front and back of the leaves and how they respond to changes in pressure.  Essentially they are natural barometers.  Low pressure usually means rain; high pressure usually means clear skies.

Clear nights, cold days is another folk proverb that appears to have some validity.  Clear nights also tend be colder than cloudy ones since the lack of clouds allows heat from the ground to escape more easily.

If a circle forms 'round the moon, it will rain very soon.  The presence of high-level cirrus clouds often means rain is on the way and such clouds can cause a "circle 'round the moon" you can see the night before.

I remember being told as a kid that if the snow was crunchy, it was below 10°F.  Not sure of the scientific accuracy of that bit of folk lore (although it does seem to be supported by anecdotal evidence and personal experience).  From a scientific point of view, snow does crunch more at colder temperatures than at warmer ones.  The crunching is caused by ice crystals rubbing together as you compress the snow.   The colder the temperature, the louder the crunch.  At warmer temperatures, friction between the crystals is reduced and they slide silently past each other.   I typically observe "soft" crunching at about 20°F and very sharp crunching when it gets down around 10°F or below here in Utah and where I grew up in Idaho.   I have also observed that when temperatures drop close to 0°F or below, my nose immediately reacts to cold air when I go outside, feeling sticky just inside my nostrils, probably from the mucus thickening or freezing.   Speaking of snow, folk myths say it can't snow if it gets too cold.  That isn't strictly true.   It can still snow at very low temperatures, as long as there is enough moisture in the air.  However, sustained low temperatures may literally freeze all the moisture out of the air and then it can't snow for a while.  A new weather front with lots of moisture could move into a cold area and you could get snow even at very low temperatures.  On the other hand, clearly it can be too warm to snow.   For snow to form the atmospheric temperature must be at freezing or below.  For snow to stick, the ground temperature must be at or below freezing. Snow can form high up in the clouds and then melt as it falls through warmer air near the ground.  If the snow is falling thick enough and fast enough, some of it may be visible near the ground before it melts.  Generally, snow will not form if the ground temperature is 41°F or warmer.   By the way, even though snow is made of ice crystals, it is a pretty good insulator.  A foot of snow is about equal to the R-13 fiberglass insulation in the walls of the typical home.  That's why igloos and snow caves can keep you warm.

Speaking of snow, did you know that a blizzard is more than just a common term for a nasty snow storm?  According to the US Weather Service, there is a specific definition for a blizzard.  To qualify as a blizzard according to meteorological definitions, you have to have falling or blowing snow that reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less plus sustained winds of 30-35 mph for at least 3 hours. Doesn't matter much to a driver or a camper whether the raging snow outside is officially a "blizzard" the roads are slick and you can't see where you're going, but it is an interesting bit of trivia.  Of course you can experience blizzard-like conditions that may not last long enough to meet the formal definition but certainly do last long enough to be real nuisance or even a hazard in camp or on the road.  You won't really care if it is officially a blizzard if blowing snow prevents you from finding your exit.

A "whiteout" is a condition where falling or blowing snow reduces visibility to virtually zero. During a whiteout it is just about impossible to tell the difference between the snow-covered ground and the snow-filled air.  There is no discernible horizon.  If you encounter a whiteout, it is best to stop and wait it out.  Continued travel is very dangerous.   If you're on the highway, you could easily drive off the road.   If you are already traveling off-highway, you may get totally lost.  Anytime you are moving you are at risk of running into unseen obstacles or other travelers.  If you MUST move, do so cautiously.  If you pull over, try to get far enough over so you're out of traffic to reduce the chance of getting hit.  Even though weather may reduce other traffic on the road there will still be some, including snow plows.  If you happen to get in their way you are pretty much guaranteed to come out on the short end of the deal!

Wind can be a weather problem all by itself.  You don't have to have tornado or hurricane conditions for wind to create a hazard.  Strong gusting winds can wreak havoc with your campsite. They can damage awnings, tents, and canopies.  They may blow camp chairs or other light objects away or into your fire pit.  Winds can pick up debris that can cause injuries or damage.  Wind can sometimes create dust storms that reduce visibility and cause breathing problems for many people. Wind can wreak havoc with campfires and scatter embers that can start unwanted conflagrations. What can you do about wind?  First of all, make sure your campsite is as secure and wind-resistant as possible.   Put away canopies, umbrellas, folding chairs etc.  Make sure you tent is securely anchored. Head your RV into the prevailing wind.   Put out your campfire.  Then stay inside your tent or RV until the wind subsides.  By the way, always put up your camp chairs or at least fold them up and lay them flat when you retire from the campfire each night.  I've seen way too many light weight aluminum chairs blown into firepits where hidden coals have destroyed them by morning.  Wind can be problematic on the trail too.  Hikers, horseback riders, and OHV riders may encounter difficult and/or dangerous conditions brought on by wind.  I've seen dirt bikers literally get blown over when they topped a hill one windy day in the Mojave Desert.  They hit the top of the hill and went over like Arty on the tricycle on the old Saturday Night Live stunt.  Wind may kick up dust and debris that affects visibility and could injure your eyes.  Head winds may affect vehicle mileage, significantly shortening your normal travel range.   That cute little decorative windsock on your RV awning must might be more useful than you think.  After all, small airports still use windsocks to give pilots information about wind direction and speed.

Thunderstorms often bring severe weather conditions that require special attention.  Even fairly distant thunderstorms can cause flash floods miles away, so avoid low-lying areas and especially sand washes when there are storms anywhere in the area.   Lightning is another hazard of thunderstorms. Stay out from under tall objects like lone trees, light poles, power poles, and radio towers.  You can estimate how close lightning is to you by counting the number of seconds between the flash and when you hear the thunder.   Divide the number by 3 to get the distance in kilometers or by 5 for the distance in miles.   If you don't have a watch to count the seconds, you can estimate the time by counting 'one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand, etc).  When I worked outdoors we were instructed to stop work, leave the job site, and seek immediate shelter if lightning were within one mile.

Weather instruments, such as a barometer, can help you get a feel for what is coming.  A rising barometer usually means fair weather ahead.  A falling barometer may indicate an approaching storm.  Falling temperatures and increased wind often precede a storm too. Typical clusters of weather instruments for your home or RV will include a barometer, thermometer, and a humidity meter. I like to have an indoor/outdoor thermometer in my RV so I can keep an eye on both temperatures easily.  One I saw recently accommodates up to 3 remote transmitters so a single instrument could monitor inside and outside temperature and the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer.  There are more sophisticated electronic weather stations you can buy that give you a plethora of weather information, some if it useful, some of it pretty arcane.   Another useful device is one to measure wind chill.  Wind chill is the perceived temperature felt on exposed skin due to wind.  Wind chill isn't measured when the temperature is above 50°F and is never higher than the static temperature.  It is usually colder than the actual air temperature.  You feel colder because the wind removes heat from your body more quickly than still air does.  If the air is 40°F and there is a 10 mph wind, it will feel like its 34°F.   At higher temperatures (above 50°F), the heat index is used to measure the increase in perceived temperature due to a combination of heat and humidity.  High humidity makes you feel hotter because your perspiration doesn't evaporate as quickly to keep you cool. If the air is 90°F and the humidity is high, it will feel more like 105°F.  Some people believe they can predict a change in the weather by the feeling in their joints.  There might be some truth to that.  The fluid in our joints reacts to changes in barometric pressure.  Anyone who is sensitive to such changes might actually be a fairly accurate barometer!

Use local resources when you can.  Your campground host, rangers, law enforcement officers, and other campers familiar with the area can be a valuable source of weather information.   They may be familiar with typical weather patterns and can tell you what to expect. Very often, their predictions are far more accurate than formal weather reports. They can also alert you to potential flash flooding along streams or dry washes.  I once worked at summer resort where it rained every day at 1:00pm.  You could almost set your watch by it.

One of my favorite weather anecdotes is the "weather string".   Hang a string outside your window.  If you can see it, is probably clear and the sun is probably shining.  If you can't see it, it may be dark or foggy or snowy outside.  If it moving, the wind is blowing.  If it is wet, it is raining.  If it is frozen, it is cold.  If its gone you may have really strong winds.  While this is intended mainly as a joke, a weather string can help you judge wind strength and direction, just as pilots judge wind wind strength and direction from wind socks.  The little toy windsocks folks hand on their RV awnings can actually give you a fairly good idea of wind speed and direction once you get used to reading them.

Be weather wise!