Reading the Signs Before the Storm Breaks

The British hills are notorious for rapid weather changes. A clear morning can turn into a maelstrom within an hour, and the difference between a grand day out and a serious incident often comes down to how early you notice the warning signs. Learn to read the sky and the wind before the storm is on top of you.

• Dark, towering cumulonimbus clouds building on the horizon, often with a flat, anvil-shaped top.
• A sudden drop in temperature or a sharp increase in wind speed – sometimes within minutes.
• The wind shifting direction unexpectedly, often backing or veering without warning.
• Distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning, even if the storm looks far off.
• Hail or a sudden, heavy downpour that feels different from typical fell rain.
• A greenish or yellowish hue in the sky, which can signal severe weather approaching.

If you notice any of these, act early. Do not wait for the storm to be overhead. Turning back or descending before the worst hits is always the safer choice. Trust your instincts – if the hair on the back of your neck stands up, it is time to move.

Immediate Actions When the Storm Hits

If the storm catches you unawares, prioritise safety over reaching your original goal. The summit can wait. Your job now is to get lower, get sheltered, and get warm.

• Put on your waterproofs immediately. Getting wet leads to rapid cooling, even in summer.
• Add a hat and gloves. Most heat is lost through the head and hands.
• Get your emergency shelter or bothy bag out. Practise deploying it in wind before you need it, not during a gale.
• Move away from exposed ridges, summits, and wide open expanses. These are lightning magnets.
• Avoid isolated trees, wire fences, and water features. Lightning seeks the highest point and can travel along conductors.

If lightning is close, adopt the lightning position: crouch down on your pack or a mat, feet together, head tucked. Do not lie flat. Keep at least 20 metres between group members to reduce the chance of multiple injuries from a single strike.

Navigating Down Safely in Poor Visibility

The safest descent is not always the shortest. Aim for a known handrail – a stream, a wall, a path – that leads to safety. In a storm, visibility can drop to a few metres, so navigation becomes your lifeline.

• Take a compass bearing before visibility drops completely. Write it down and note the distance.
• Use the "aiming off" technique: deliberately aim slightly left or right of your target so you know which way to turn when you hit a handrail.
• Count your paces to estimate distance. Note how many double-steps you take per 100 metres on flat ground and adjust for terrain.
• Keep your map in a waterproof case and your compass around your neck, not buried in your pack.
• If you have a GPS device or phone app, use it as a backup, not a primary tool. Batteries die quickly in the cold.

Descend steadily. Do not run. A twisted ankle in a storm is a serious problem. Use walking poles for balance if you have them, and test each foothold before committing your weight.

Lightning and Hail: Specific Dangers

Lightning is the most immediate lethal threat in a hill storm. If you feel your hair stand on end or hear a crackling sound, lightning is about to strike. Immediately crouch in the lightning position.

• Do not shelter under rock overhangs or in shallow caves – ground current can travel through the rock and into you.
• Place metal objects – walking poles, ice axes, crampons – several metres away from the group.
• If someone is struck, it is safe to touch them. They do not carry a charge. Call 999, ask for police, then mountain rescue. Begin CPR if they are not breathing.

Hail can be painful and disorienting. Protect your head with your arms or a pack. Move to a sheltered spot out of the wind, even if it is just behind a large boulder. Wait for the worst to pass before moving again.

Keeping the Group Together and Warm

In a storm, group cohesion is your best defence. Count heads frequently. Assign a back marker if you have a large group, and never leave anyone behind.

• Stop frequently to check everyone is warm and dry. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, slurred speech, and clumsiness.
• Share spare layers, gloves, and hats. Eat high-energy food like flapjack or chocolate.
• Keep moving but avoid sweating. Wet from sweat is as dangerous as wet from rain.
• Use a rope on steep or slippery ground if you have one and know how to use it.

If someone is too cold to continue, get them into a shelter, into a sleeping bag, and give warm, sweet drinks. Do not rub their skin. Seek help immediately – do not wait for them to warm up on their own.

After the Storm: Regroup and Reassess

Once the worst has passed, do not simply carry on as if nothing happened. The ground will be slick, streams will be swollen, and the next squall may be minutes away.

• Check everyone for injuries, cold, and exhaustion. Take a proper break in a sheltered spot.
• Reassess your route. Is it still safe? Often the answer is to abandon the summit and head down.
• Update someone at home if you can get a signal. Send a text with your location and plan.
• If you have to call for rescue, give a clear grid reference, describe the group, and state any injuries.

Finally, remember that turning back is not failure. The hills will still be there. A wise walker knows when to retreat, and that knowledge is what keeps you coming back for more. Stay safe, and enjoy the adventure – on your terms.