Thunderstorms in the mountains What you should look out for when hiking

The weather in the mountains can change quickly. One minute the sun was shining and the sky was clear and the next dark clouds appear. The following therefore applies to hikes in the mountains: careful planning is the be-all and end-all. And what if I suddenly get caught in a storm? blue News tells you what to do.

Check the weather situation before hiking in the mountains

Let's start at the beginning, with the planning. Sibyl Heissenbüttel from the SAC explains: "But if severe weather is forecast, preparation, good time planning and realistic self-assessment are even more important than usual. You have to take the local conditions into account and clarify them as well as possible in advance."

You also need to stay alert during the tour. And adapt your plans to the current conditions.

Of course, planning also involves studying the weather forecast. "It's better to plan too much time than too little, and if in doubt, it's better to do a shorter tour than a longer one," says the SAC expert. If thunderstorms are forecast from midday, for example, you should set off early enough to reach your destination by then.

Tap into local sources of information

There are many ways to do this: "If you want to spend the night in an SAC hut, you can call the hut warden, he knows the local situation very well," says Sibyl Heissenbüttel.

A call to the mountain railroad or the tourist office can also be helpful. Webcams can also serve as an orientation aid, as can the SAC tour portal: mountain hikers can report any problem areas they encounter along the way. Anyone planning a tour can use these reports to get an overview of obstacles and dangers on the route. Heissenbüttel advises anyone setting off alone to inform someone close to them of their plans.

Better to plan carefully in moderate weather

"The weather in the mountains is unpredictable anyway," says Mara Zenhäusern from the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU). Because of the "current capricious weather", she advises extra caution: "It's better not to plan tours with long sections over an exposed ridge with no places to retreat. Instead, perhaps shorter tours where you can easily turn back or have another plan B to fall back on."

And precisely because the weather can change quickly, you also need to keep an eye on developments on the move, says Heissenbüttel, for example using apps. "It's not enough just to get information before you set off." She also emphasizes: "You always have to be prepared to turn back if thunderstorms are approaching."

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What is the right equipment?

Mara Zenhäusern emphasizes that careful planning and good equipment are crucial. She doesn't want to advise against going into the mountains in general, but it's important not to take on too much and to stay alert on the way.

That leaves the right packing: shoes with a good profile are a must. Because the weather can change quickly in the mountains, your rucksack should also include rain protection, warm clothing and sun protection, such as a hat and sun cream.

Correct behavior during a thunderstorm in the mountains

But what happens if you are surprised by a thunderstorm despite all your planning? The SAC spokesperson and a guide from the BFU provide tips on the correct behavior in thunderstorm situations.

And then you have no choice but to wait until the storm has passed.

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