Good visibility, pleasant temperatures, stable conditions: That’s how you imagine a day outdoors. But despite an optimistic forecast, the weather can change quickly and unexpectedly. Sunshine can turn into a thunderstorm, good visibility can become dense fog, and pleasant temperatures may suddenly change to wintery conditions. Such changes in the weather are often the reason why people find themselves in distress while engaging in outdoor activities – and rely on the help of Rega or Swiss Alpine Rescue.

Thunderstorms: fast, heavy, dangerous

Thunderstorms often arise on warm days when moist, warm air rises and can develop in a very short time in the mountains. Typical signs are towering clouds, a fresh wind and a noticeable change in the weather. But it is not only the lightning that is dangerous: heavy rain can make paths slippery, streams swell, the risk of a landslide increases, and visibility can deteriorate quickly.

Fog, snow and cold – the silent risks

Fog impairs visibility as well people’s sense of time and their orientation. This can lead to them recognising paths, forks or dangerous spots too late and ending up in dangerous terrain. Sudden snowfall – possible at higher elevations in summer too – quickly changes the terrain, the surface and the temperature. When combined with wind, the risk of hypothermia also increases.

Making the right decision is key

Many weather-related emergencies arise not because of the wrong equipment but because people respond too late. That is why it is important to keep an eye on the weather and to note: Are the conditions changing? Is the wind picking up? Are there signs of an imminent thunderstorm? If you turn round before things become critical you are not abandoning your destination but choosing your own safety.

When the weather becomes an emergency situation

Weather plays a key role in Rega’s missions. Poor visibility, strong wind or thunderstorms can make air rescue impossible or may delay it. It is thus all the more important to raise the alarm early on if a situation becomes critical. This also applies for people trapped in exposed terrain. Never hesitate to alert the Rega Operations Center on the emergency number 1414 or on the Rega app. The flight coordinators can also offer advice over the telephone and assess which procedure is appropriate in the specific situation. If it is not possible to send out a rescue helicopter because of the weather, Rega can summon the mountain rescuers of Swiss Alpine Rescue. They will arrive on foot and can help even in difficult weather conditions – but this will take time. It is not possible to influence the weather, but you can adjust your own behaviour. If you take the warning signs seriously, react promptly and adjust your plans, you can reduce the risk. In this way, your excursion will stay what it was meant to be: a great experience outdoors.