How the Weather Affects Your Hiking Experience

The time of the year can make a huge difference in the quality of experience of hiking. Some choose a destination first and then decide on when to go. Those with less freedom decide on a date first and then on where to go.

The weather is the most important consideration when deciding when to go on a hiking trip. Heat, cold, humidity, and wind can play a major part in your enjoyment.

Experienced hikers often learn to cope with the worst of the weather conditions but it makes sense to choose a time of better weather.

Sun and Heat

Hiking in hot weather can become an uncomfortable experience. Most hikers become uncomfortable walking strenuously in temperatures higher than room temperature.

The sun can be a problem not just in hot deserts but also in mountainous regions. Above the tree line in mountainous areas, the air is thin and sun reflects off the snow.

Since the higher you go up the less filtered you are from the sun's rays, you risk getting badly sunburnt.

A high humidity can also be discomforting. Some people may wish to avoid hiking in tropical rainforests because the humidity is so high.

In drier climate, the problem is with the extreme change in temperature between day and night. There is very little humidity to hold the day's heat once the sun goes down so even if it's hot during day time, the nights still gets bitterly cold.

Rain

There are seasons for rain. There may more rain on certain times of the year than others. The rain can be heavy or just a small drizzle.

In summer, hiking in the rain can be refreshing, but the spring or autumn, getting wet can get you hypothermia. Try to avoid during rainy seasons or take adequate rainwear with you.

Snow & Ice

Hiking in the mountains has the risk of encountering avalanches. The chance of avalanches is increased when mountainsides are covered by snow and ice well into the summer.

Check with the local trail guide about the condition of the snow and ice if you are planning to hike the mountains in the summer.

Monsoons

A monsoon season is the wet season in tropical, temperate and desert regions. In the desert, a monsoon may just bring about an afternoon thunderstorm.
In the tropics, a monsoon can bring never-ending rain, which leaves you with little chance to dry you clothes making it an uncomfortable experience. Avoid hiking during the monsoon season as best as you can.

Hurricanes and Typhoons

In many tropical destinations, there are seasons when violent storms tend to occur. This violent storm is known as typhoons in Asia and western Pacific, and hurricanes in the rest of the world.

These storms have caused a lot of damages and destroyed many lives around the world. Traveling during hurricane and typhoon season is not recommended.

Smog & Dust

Spending time outdoors when the air is polluted can actually do more harm than good to your health. The polluted is brought about by industries or by the wet and dry season cycles in some regions.

In most cases, these seasonal cycles are predictable because they follow weather patterns. Visibility won't be so good either and there is a high risk of getting lost in the woods. Try to plan a hiking trip when the air is clear.

Insects

Insects are less of a problem during winter months. Insect season reaches its peak during the first two weeks after the snow has melted, spring and early summer.

In hot and humid regions, insects are a problem all year round. Use insect repellent and fine netting if you want to sleep well at night where insects are an annoyance.

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