Weather forecasting

[Sunny Guy]

How can a hiker access a weather forecast while in the backcountry at BiBe? Has anyone used the altimeter function on their 60CSx for warnings of impending cold front passages? Any info will be much appreciated.
Capn Ken

[homerboy2u]

  ...Is this possible?. I certainly would like to know, if it is true.

[Robert]

The altimeter on the 60Csx is based on a barometer. It may be used to indicate a change in weather.  You do have to be careful if you are moving because as you gain/lose elevation the barometric pressure will be changing. Because the GPS uses a barometer it may need to be recalibrated with a known elevation.

Barometric pressure varies with altitude. A higher elevation will have less atmosphere above it which exerts less pressure. To keep readings standard across the world, barometric pressure is to be indicated at sea level. Therefore, readings at elevations other than at sea level will require a correction factor which is based on the elevation and the air temperature (colder air weighs more and will require a greater correction).

The barometric pressure changes as the weather systems over us changes. When you look at a weather map that has those blue "H"s and red "L"s, this is indicating the areas with High and Low pressure. It is worth noting that the areas with high pressure are the areas with good weather, and the areas with low pressure are the areas with bad weather. Barometric pressure has been used by weathermen since the beginning of meteorology to predict the weather.

http://www.quickoneplus.com/fish/articles/page.asp?page=barometric

[jeffblaylock]

How long are you planning on being on/off trail in Big Bend that you feel you'd have to rely on a GPS to deliver a weather report? If it's that long, probably best to carry a weather radio.

Only on trips over 7 days have I not had an inkling of the weather forecast for the entirety of a trek. This is only really a problem in high-elevation conditions (like over 10,000 feet -- so not at BIBE), deep "shoulder" seasons, or in winter.

The more experienced backpackers on the forum here can tell you they forecast the weather based on what they see all around them. Wind changes direction. Certain kinds of clouds roll in or out. Air feels wetter or dryer, heavier or lighter. And they apply those observations to their elevation and terrain, and draw basic conclusions such as, "I better set up camp now instead of climbing that next high, exposed ridge." 

[Homer67]

I noticed on this weather site that down on the lower right is a map one can click on to get the weather forecast that seems to be modified for that particular location.  This may help...

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.250459642950652&lon=-103.30581665039062&site=maf&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

Perhaps one could look at their itinerary and the seven-day forecast and get some prognostication on the particular day/location.

[Sunny Guy]

Thanks to all of you for getting back to me with really useful information!
Jeff: My concern with weather forecasting is that I will be doing day hikes in the backcountry in BiBe and bike trips in BBRSP. I do have a weather radio but will I be in the range of NWS broadcasts? I do not want to be caught a good distance away from my base camp during a cold front passage.
Robert:Having used a barometer for years as a forecasting tool while sailing I am intrigued by the possibilities the 60CSx offers with its dual function as an altimeter and barometer complete with its instructions on calibrating it for changes in elevation. Since I'm in central Florida with little elevation change I will need to wait until I get to BIBE to run it through all its paces. I'm hoping someone on the Board has already tried it out.
 Homer67: I had no idea you could get a spot forecast from the NWS web site! When I'm in BBRSP I will be able to get these forecasts by going to Sauceda and using their WiFi. That will be a huge help, especially forecasting the times of cold front passages. It's those times that I might not make it to the ranch for long (over 7 days) stretches when I would like to know when the next cold front comes through either from the GPS or the weather radio.
Capn Ken

[sleepy]

You might find it useful to put a jacket and rain poncho in you backpack.  Maybe gloves and a hat. 

[Sunny Guy]

Will that forecast the weather? Or are you saying that if I'm prepared the forecast won't matter? Now that's a very good point!

[jim2]

do the NWS radios work in the park ?

[Cookie]

The more experienced backpackers on the forum here can tell you they forecast the weather based on what they see all around them. Wind changes direction. Certain kinds of clouds roll in or out. Air feels wetter or dryer, heavier or lighter. And they apply those observations to their elevation and terrain, and draw basic conclusions such as, "I better set up camp now instead of climbing that next high, exposed ridge."

Jeff is, as usual spot on! The key is to be prepared just in case. In 2006, me, El Hombre and a friend hiked a 3 night OML. the weather forecast was going to be perfect. We checked the weather weekly and of course as we got our permits. There was about a 10% chance of rain on the last day. Here is how our trip progressed:

Day 1: Beautiful, warm and clear (short sleeves!)



Day 2 morning: still nice


Day 3 morning:Uh-oh!


Day 3 afternoon: storm is coming in.

 
Day 4 morning: Hiking up Blue Creek after a night of sleet and snow.


We were checking the weather reports diligently before we left, but sometimes, they are wrong. We were prepared for anything, but it was pretty amazing to go from short sleeves .... to snow!!
Be Prepared!

~Cookie

[mule ears]

We were checking the weather reports diligently before we left, but sometimes, they are wrong. We were prepared for anything, but it was pretty amazing to go from short sleeves .... to snow!!
Be Prepared!

~Cookie

Cookie, what a great progression of pictures!  Yeah the weather reports for the park are difficult to pinpoint but in general I look at them to decide clothing based on a chance of precip and the coldest possible nights (adjusting for elevation of course).

[chisos muse]

WOW Cookie, at least you brought those heavy duty balaclavas! (Reece humor)

ANYWAY....I remember that day! It was awesome! It was my day off and I bundled up and went in played in the snow like a kid. I walked all around PJ and took pictures, then visited the BBNHA building and my boss yelled at me for bringing slushy snow in on my boots, heh heh...

I have seen the weather change 20 degrees in about 10 minutes (either way) and watched many a front blow in almost instantly...BE PREPARED!

[Robert]

Yeah the weather reports for the park are difficult to pinpoint but in general I look at them to decide clothing based on a chance of precip and the coldest possible nights (adjusting for elevation of course).

Agreed, I would say that weather the reports are "directionally correct". As the weather itself various a lot across the park it is hard to get something you can hang your hat on. In general as Jeff says, you can get a pretty good idea of what the weather is going to be like before heading out.