Steppe, open plains and wind

Your body surrounds itself with a thin layer of warm air that clings to your skin and sits in your clothing. Wind constantly blows this layer away, and the body has to warm new air. Experts call this convection. At the same time, wind speeds up the evaporation of sweat and moisture, which cools you even more. Weather services sum this effect up as wind chill: it describes how cold the air feels in the wind and how quickly frostbite becomes a risk.

On a plain the wind can become so strong because nothing slows it down. Forests, hills and buildings create friction and sheltered zones; without them the air keeps moving steadily and fast. It also means that a camp without shelter is exposed to the wind all evening and all night.

In a thunderstorm, lightning often strikes high, isolated points. On a plain that can be a single tree, a mast, a fence – or a person. In addition, after a strike the current also spreads through the ground. That is why a building or a closed vehicle is the best protection, not a tree.

Your windproof jacket does not belong deep in your pack but within reach at the top or around your waist. If you only start looking once you are cold, you have already lost a lot of warmth. Add a hat, a scarf or neck gaiter and glasses against dust and sand. Even on warm days, think of sun protection, because there is no shade.

Navigation in open terrain is harder than it looks. Without striking landmarks every direction looks the same, and small deviations add up over many kilometres. So plan your route with compass bearings and waypoints, and fix your position regularly – not only once you feel unsure.

Water is another point: wind dries you out without you noticing, because sweat evaporates straight away. Carry enough safe water and drink regularly. And mark on the map beforehand where you can retreat to in a thunderstorm or fire: buildings, settlements, a road back to your vehicle.

On a plain you can often see thunderstorms from far away – an advantage if you use it. Before setting off, read the forecast for wind, gusts and thunderstorms and postpone trips on days with severe weather warnings. When storm clouds build or you hear thunder, head for your retreat straight away. The US weather service stresses: outdoors there is no safe place in a thunderstorm.

If you are caught out anyway, avoid lone trees, masts, fences and hilltops, and do not be the highest point. A group should spread out a little so that not everyone can be hit at once. This lowers the risk but does not remove it – what matters most is turning back in time.

Grass and bush fires move very fast in wind. When fire danger is high, make no open fire and check the local rules on fire bans. Take distant smoke seriously: plan your retreat across the wind, not ahead of the fire. In danger, call the local emergency number (112 in the EU).

A good camp site makes use of every small landform: a bank, a shallow hollow, a shrub or a wall. But make sure water does not collect there when it rains – dry gullies can fill quickly in a thunderstorm. Dead branches above the spot are also off-limits, because the wind can snap them off.

Pitch the tent with its narrow, low end facing into the wind so that it offers little surface. Use every guy line and anchor it well before the wind picks up at night. Put loose items away, because on a plain anything that blows away is often gone for good.

Open landscapes have many faces: heaths, plateaus, steppes and prairies. The principles are similar everywhere: wind protection, water, navigation and a plan for thunderstorms and fire. One advantage of wide open space is that you see weather early and are easy to see yourself – bright signals are recognised from far away.

A common misconception is that wind is only dangerous in winter. Even above freezing, strong wind – especially combined with rain – can lead to hypothermia. Conversely, hot, dry wind on summer days can greatly speed up dehydration.