Hikes...based on wind and weather

  Okay, three weeks of rain and a few 40 mph windy days.  Is it that miserable everywhere?  Actually, we live in a huge state.  I am blessed to live in Palmer between two large rivers (Knik and Matanuska) that are fed by huge glaciers and two major mountain ranges (Chugach and Talkeetna).  The cool thing about living among the mountains is that the weather can be quite different just a few miles away.   I am going to explain how to use Weather Underground to find out where it is not windy and where the current temperatures are more desirable.

Weather Underground is a sweet webpage and free app that I can use on my desktop or cell phone.  I have even arranged our hiking guide to be in distinct  areas so you can easily see the conditions (towards Hatcher Pass, Butte, Anchorage)

Now, as I have encouraged you in the past, regardless of the weather, Thrive Outside.  However, sometimes I do want to get away from the wind.  I love the Weather Underground webpage and mobile app to find a place where it is not windy.  However, you will need to change the weather station layers under settings.  

Your closest weather station will show up like this.

Click on the map.

Then you will see the map of other weather stations.

At the bottom click on the right tab called Layers.

Scroll up until you see the Weather Stations:  then click on the tab called Temperature & Wind.

Now your map will have little flags, indicating wind (if any) and the direction it is blowing and speed.

It actually was a calm day when I took the screen shot, but as you can see no wind and 73 at the Butte to hike. 

 

So you then, LOOK for a place with little or no flags by the weather station and HIKE THERE!  You might have to drive, but at least you will find a place out of the blasting wind.  You can also look for less rain as well if that might deter your hiking.

This is the desktop look of the changing the layers with Temperature/Wind.  

I hope this helps you to find a "nicer" place to explore in the wilderness.  However, like all good hikers take the boy scouts motto, "Be Prepared".  Weather changes faster than politics.  Ha! Maybe we shouldn't complain :)