Practical weather guidance for Scouts and outdoor groups, covering preparation, changing conditions, clothing, weather hazards and making safe decisions outdoors.
Checking the weather before heading outdoors is a simple habit that can make a big difference. A forecast can help you decide what to wear, what to pack and whether your planned activity is suitable for the conditions. You don’t need to understand complicated weather charts to get started. A basic forecast gives you several…
A thunderstorm can turn an enjoyable camping trip into a serious situation surprisingly quickly. The rain itself might not be the biggest problem. Lightning, sudden gusts of wind, falling branches and rapidly changing conditions can all make being outdoors hazardous. The good news is that you don’t need to be able to predict exactly where…
When you’re outdoors, knowing what the weather might do next is an important skill. Weather forecasts are extremely useful, but scouts and outdoor explorers can also learn to notice changes in the world around them. The clouds may start to change. The wind might suddenly become stronger. The air may feel different, or the temperature…
Activity Overview Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 30–45 minutesLocation: Indoors for planning and equipment checks; outdoors for practical useBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Clothing selection, weather awareness, layering, preparation, mountain safety Mountain clothing should be selected according to the weather, terrain, season, duration and difficulty of the activity. The aim is to stay warm, dry and comfortable while…
Activity Overview Difficulty: AdvancedTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Indoors for planning, followed by a suitable mountain or hill environmentBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Weather awareness, route planning, navigation, risk assessment, decision-making Mountain weather can change quickly, so a good plan considers what the forecast says, how conditions may change with height and exposure, and what you will…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST A leaking tent is inconvenient, but severe weather can become a genuine safety issue. If conditions include strong winds, flooding, lightning or other dangerous weather, don’t stay in an unsafe location simply because you want to keep the tent dry. Follow your group’s emergency procedures and move to a safer shelter if…
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. ⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Wet clothing can become dangerous in cold, windy or exposed conditions. Water conducts heat away from the body much faster than dry air, and wind can…
Why Storm Safety Matters Storms are one of those hazards that can change an outdoor situation very quickly. A walk that started in sunshine can become cold, wet and windy. A campsite that seemed perfectly safe can suddenly be surrounded by falling branches. A stream that was easy to cross can become dangerously fast after…
