Hot take: Getting caught in a flash flood near Sedona made me stop trusting weather apps for hiking.

Hugo Reed · 2026-03-25T23:10:03.86682+00:00

The forecast said 10% chance of rain, but a wall of water came through the canyon and now I just look at the sky and smell the air before any trail, so what's your most reliable old-school weather sign?

susan_mason6mo ago

Wait, they said 10%? That's insane. I'd be livid. My grandpa always said to watch the birds, like if the swallows are flying super low over water, bad weather is coming right then, not later. He swore by it more than any radar.

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the_xena6mo ago

Okay, but your grandpa's swallow trick, does that only work over water? I'm mostly hiking in dry foothills. Is there a land bird version of that, or is it just a lakeside special? Because I'll start staring at robins if it means not getting swept away.

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hannah4226mo ago

What's my sign, the cows lying down or my knee that aches like a cheap barometer?

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