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Weather on the Appalachian Trail: 10 Things to Prepare You For Your Thru-Hike

This article is going to address the diverse types of weather we experienced while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Because you are hiking both in the mountains and at sea level, the weather is diverse. Here are the top 10 weather considerations you need to understand so you can be prepared to complete your thru-hike.


Table of Contents


1.   Timing Your Hike

2.   Choosing the Right Base Clothes and Gear

3.   Understanding the Weather on the Appalachian Trail

4.   Dealing with Wet Weather on the Appalachian Trail

5.   Hiking in the Snow on the Appalachian Trail

6.   Lightning on the Appalachian Trail

7. Wind on the Appalachian Trail

8. Hot Weather on the Appalachian Trail

9.   Using Websites to Check the Weather on the Appalachian Trail

10.  Determining the Weather Without the Internet on the Appalachian Trail


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First, here is an overview of the series we wrote on the Appalachian Trail. Hopefully, this will be helpful for your adventure.We completed our northbound thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2022 and it was one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences of our lives. The difficulty is not only from the number of miles but also the terrain, obstacles, steep ups and downs – and the weather! We started the AT on April 13, 2022 and finished on October 6, 2022. We put this Appalachian Trail series together to get you from the start to the finish successfully. 


Here is an overview of the series:

Appalachian Trail Hiking: The Ultimate Guide to Starting the Appalachian Trail

For more information on how to get to the AT and when to go.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail: 10 Logistical Ideas to Help You Plan

This article will provide insights on how to make your adventure easier.

Weather on the Appalachian Trail: 10 Things to Prepare You For Your Thru-Hike

This one is essential, especially when choosing when to summit.

The Most Essential Weather Gear to Wear on the Appalachian Trail

Your gear could be the difference between completing the trail and not!

Performance Gear Essentials for the Appalachian Trail

An overview of clothes to wear.

What You Should Expect to Spend on an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike