An incredibly complex topic, you could spend a lifetime studying all the different types of climate and weather conditions in the world. Fortunately however, weather is there all the time so practice in “reading” it is easy to do – there is no escape! Whether it is seducing you with its warmth and sunshine or potentially placing you in danger with low cloud and storms, it is an ever present dimension of the outdoor scene and one that without which, the mountains would be a great deal less interesting.
An Introduction to Weather Systems
Predicting the weather in the mountains is difficult at the best of times as the dynamics of weather systems are incredibly complex; however, by looking at the individual aspects that make up weather systems, we can at least begin to understand how weather forms. ... see "Weather Systems" for more
Weather and Climate in the Alps
For anyone that spends time in the mountains, be it summer or winter, the weather is a constant topic of conversation. And it is easy to understand why, as a change in the weather can impact so dramatically on your day. Should I take a coat? How many layers should I wear? Am I going to burn? Is it going to rain? These are questions we ask ourselves daily and normally the answer is based on a lucky guess, or perhaps on judgment gained from experience and/or the weather forecast. However, by acquiring some knowledge of local weather patterns and understanding how and why systems develop, along with a few bits of weather terminology, you can certainly reduce that element of luck, and learn to make a more educated decision on your days activity and clothing requirements with the information at your disposal. ... see "The Alpine Climate" for more