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Mountain Weather
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Winter? |
Bear in mind that summer means little atop a tall peak. The monthly average daily temperature at the Jungfraujoch never gets above freezing ... even in July! Silverton, not overly high at 9,300 ft (2,800 m), has average temperatures below freezing for six months of the year, averaging only 35°F year around, or under 2°C, and just 55°F, 13°C, in August.
nother way to measure the impact of
altitude on climate. Every 1,000 feet (300 m) of rise in elevation is equivalent,
in terms of climate, to traveling about 350 miles (560 km) farther north, at sea level.
Sitting at the top of Red Mountain Pass? The climate there is similar to Nome, Alaska!
Mürren has a climate closer to Trondheim, Norway than Bern, Switzerland.
t may feel
colder or warmer depending on whether it's windy or cloudy on the one hand, or sunny with
still air. Even at an air temperature of freezing you may be quite warm at 10,000 feet at
noon if the air is still and the sky cloudless. You may feel like you're freezing at 50
°F with thick cloud cover and a stiff wind.
Don't forget afternoon showers are common anywhere in the mountains, especially in summer in the San Juans, which bring clouds and cooler temperatures. Such are less regular in the Alps, but can be quite severe. Don't bet your life on the fine weather you see in the morning lasting all day. Conversely, a rainy or cloudy morning may not prevent a sunny afternoon.
e prepared as well,
even on overcast or cloudy days, for a faster and deeper suntan (or burn) at high
altitude. The thin air not only makes more difficult breathing and staying warm, it blocks
less of the sun's rays, especially the UVs that burn your skin. You're likely to get a bad
sunburn even on a cloudy day if you're not well-protected.
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Altitude Effect
Healthy persons will most often feel little effect, except somewhat earlier fatigue, up to 6,000 feet (1,800m). Most will begin to feel some effect by 10,000 feet (3,000m). If you can, arrange to spend your first day below 8,000 feet (2,400m), especially if you fly in. This is not hard to do in the Berner Oberland where Mürren is the highest year-round habitation at just over 5,400 feet (1,650 m). If you're visiting Colorado's San Juans this makes yet another good reason to base yourself at Ouray, at 7,800 feet (2,300 m) the lowest of your three options. The average tourist or four-wheeler is unlikely to notice significant effects as time above 8,000 or 10,000 feet (2,400-3,000 m) is typically short. Even then, if you get off the train at the Jungfraujoch or get out of your Jeep atop Imogene Pass you might experience a bit of dizziness. Oh, and you probably won't be able to do the 100 meter dash in your usual 10.2 seconds! If you're on somewhat lower spots as the Schilthorn, Zugspitze or Red Mountain Pass you're unlikely to notice even dizziness. If you do spend all or most of the day above 8-10,000 feet, though, you may feel some symptoms.
You may feel like you have the 'flu'. Rest, copious fluids and aspirin will help. Also, avoid diuretics like coffee and most colas; these will increase dehydration. As many as 20-30% of visitors above 6,000 feet (1,800m) feel some of these symptoms. The duration is likely to be no longer than three days, often less. High Altitude Edema rarely occurs under 9,000 feet (2,700m). Coughing, extreme shortness of breath and bluish skin (cyanosis) accompany the symptoms above. Most brief visitors to the mountains won't encounter this. However, should you or a fellow traveler experience edema symptoms move to an altitude below 6,000 feet (1,800m) as soon as possible and see a doctor. Pulmonary and cerebral edema are quite serious.
If you're hiking it may be wise to schedule low stress or lower altitude activities the first 2-3 days while your body is acclimating. Again, the average tourist making short mountaintop excursions and 4WD enthusiasts running the trails will usually not have a problem if their time above 8,000 feet (2,600m) is only a few hours.
WorldClimate Maintains historical weather for many points not covered by the Historical Weather site, as for example the Jungfraujoch. Complete Listing of Ed and Julie's Travel Tips and Planning Tools Our
Favorites Trip Tips and Tools Copyright © 1996-2001 E.J.
Gehrlein Traveling
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ess oxygen and the drier air at upper altitudes
cause dehydration and earlier than normal fatigue. Consume plenty of fluids before, during
and after your time at altitude. Dress for cooler temperatures and be prepared for sudden
weather changes. Importantly, prevent sunburn ... you'll tan or burn much more quickly and
deeply in the mountains than at sea level.
n the average, temperature drops 3 °F
for every 1,000 feet of altitude gain. Actual temperature loss ranges from 2.5 to
5 °F per 1,000 feet. (0.5 °C to 1 °C per 100 meters. If it's 72°F
(22°C) in Interlaken it could be quite chilly (42 °F or 6°C ... or less, perhaps
freezing) on the 
ven on a
sunny summer day when you'll be away from shelter you should be prepared for unexpected
rainstorms with chilling winds. Your daypack ought to have at least a wind and water
repellant jacket and sweater. We carry rainpants as well on longer walks, and gloves.
You'll need them rarely, but without them you can be in a life-threatening situation if
you're far from cover. You need be less concerned if you're four-wheeling, though keeping
sweater/sweatshirt and jacket in the vehicle is prudent. 
educed oxygen means
less energy, strength and endurance. The amount of reduction ranges from less than 20% at 
hould you find
yourself feeling ill, move to a lower altitude. Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms include
headache, shortness of breath, nausea and sleeplessness. Onset may occur between 6 and 48
hours after arrival at altitude. 
