Book excerpt: * Reading clouds, wind patterns, snow conditions, and other clues, pre-trip and on the mountain * Strategies for safety and survival in adverse weather conditions * Regional mountain weather phenomena to watch for across the U.S. Working as a broadcast meteorologist, author Jeff Renner hears all too frequent reports about weather-related hiking, climbing, and skiing accidents. He'll teach you how to avoid becoming a statistic: all it takes is a little basic weather knowledge, pre-trip planning, and vigilance on the mountain. Renner discusses the best information sources to guide you, clues to watch for in the field, and how to analyze it all, with particular emphasis on potential threats due to thunderstorms, mountain winds, snow, and avalanche hazards. If you do get caught under stormy skies, he'll tell you how to limit your exposure. The book is filled with tip lists and concrete examples. Renner also includes chapters on weather patterns region by region across the U.S., highlighted by reference maps. The book is in the Mountaineers Outdoor Basics series.