The Sky
There is a reason why adages persist through generations: they’re largely
true. “Red skies at night, sailor’s delight; red skies in the morning, sail-
ors take warning.” This is more of a short-term indicator but a good one
nonetheless. A red sky at dusk indicates that the weather will stay fair for at
least the next few hours; if the sky is red at dawn, however, beware: a low-
pressure system (and possibly a storm) may be on its way. Don’t confuse a
red sky with a red sun in the morning. If the sun is red at sunrise but the
sky is normal in color, the day should be fair. If you find yourself in hilly or
mountainous terrain, pay attention to how the early-morning mist moves.
If it lifts early in the morning, you will likely have a fair day. If it has not
moved by early afternoon, it likely won’t, and you may experience some
precipitation later.
The night sky can also help you predict the weather. If it is clear at
night, the weather should stay calm. If you can’t see many stars one night
after a few clear ones, you may be in for a change.
Dangerous Weather
DANGEROUS WEATHER EVENTSMAYWELLBERESPONSIBLE for killing more peo-
ple in survival situations than any other danger or hazard. Familiarizing
yourself with weather events will help you prepare for them and know how
to react when they hit.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes occur in relatively few places on this earth, but when they do,
they can be devastating. It’s not likely that your little stick shelter could
withstand the force of a hurricane, so if one is on its way, seek out some-
thing more substantive, such as a cave.
If you’re in a coastal region, perhaps the greatest risk from hurricanes
is the storm surge, a dome of ocean water that can reach as high as 20 feet
(6 m) and 50 to 100 miles (80 to 160 km) wide.
Weather | 281