Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total.
Sun Tzu (544—496)
Chinese General and strategist
You might think it is unnecessary taking weather into account and to dedicate it an extra page on this website . But there is a great deal of wisdom in Sun Tzu’s lesson for planning of events – not only battles. We all know the popularity of the phrase ‘rain check’ and weather can play a crucial role in the success or failure of your event. It is possible that attendance is reduced due to the weather. Not everybody might reach the venue – or if so, completely wet! Alternatively, participants might not be able to concentrate because of the heat or they feel unwell in the cold.
As the organiser it is your task to guarantee that everybody can focus properly. Thus, it’s up to you to choose the right timing within the meteorological cycle as well as to check with the hotel, press club, or conference hall what the conditions are likely to be at the venue.
As moderator taking weather into account and paying attention to whether participants feel hot or cold is your responsibility. Deal with it — for example, ask the hotel staff to turn the AC off, or take a break to let people have a drink. Major weather events can take on an even larger significance than personal comfort and if there is, for example, a powerful storm, people will find it hard to focus on your topic.