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!
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