Weather
Photo: NASA, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Weather can motivate a journey, but also put it at risk.
Severe weather can cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life. Severe weather can occur anywhere in the world, and there are different types of it, which can depend on geography, topography, and atmospheric conditions. High winds, hail, excessive precipitation, and wildfires are forms and effects of severe weather, as are thunderstorms, tornadoes, waterspouts, and cyclones. Regional and seasonal severe weather phenomena include blizzards, snowstorms, ice storms, and dust storms.
Travellers are strongly advised to be aware of any risk of severe weather affecting their area as they may affect any travel plans. Attractions may be closed, transportation will likely be impeded, and even your life may be at risk!
Also without any exceptional weather phenomenon, you might want to prepare for weather that, e.g., may be colder or hotter than what you are used to.
General precautionClimate is what we expect. Weather is what we get.
GeographyThe world can be divided between climate zones, with local variations due to landforms.
CycloneA cyclone, also known as a hurricane (in the Americas) or typhoon (in Asia and Oceania), is an organized rotating precipitation system packed with damaging winds and heavy rain.
ThunderstormThunderstorms are storms with lightning and the associated thunder, but dangers include heavy rain, strong gusty wind and possibly hail.
FogSurprisingly, fog is the most lethal kind of weather in some parts of the world. The deaths are usually caused by traffic accidents that become much more likely when visibility is reduced.
FloodsSometimes, large amounts of rain occur within short amounts of time, causing floods that rise very quickly. These can be extremely dangerous and are called flash floods.
HeatwaveHeatwaves are abnormally high temperatures for a period of a couple of days. They can cause discomfort and health risk, even to those that are seemingly prepared.
Cold weatherCold weather is an issue in winter sports, in wintertime in temperate areas, when visiting high mountains – even by driving over mountain passes – and year round in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Air pollutionAir pollution, including smog, is a nuisance in some large cities, worsened when air is dry and stagnant.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Weather" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: NASA, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons