One of the most important factors when planning a hike is to be informed and updated on what the weather is currently doing, or what it could possibly do! Depending on the time of year and location you are planning to hike in, different climates and different weather risks will impact what gear and appropriate clothing you will need. 

On this page (listed below) you can find information about potential weather hazards during different times of the year! The subsequent page titled "Weather Checklist" is a list of resources and factors to examine before moving onto the "Go/No-Go Checklist." 

SUMMER HAZARDS

source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fyaktrax.implus.com%2Fblog%2F2019%2Fjune%2Fbest-practices-for-summer-hiking-and-backpacking&psig=AOvVaw342XkJk-6yF5_AjG5LPqcj&ust=1648173480047000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjhxqFwoTCICVh-rS3fYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD 

Extreme Hot Temperatures

While it's always important to drink water while hiking and exercising, it's especially important in the summertime to help your body regulate its temperature! Without enough water, or proper sun protection, being outdoors in extremely hot temperatures can lead to dehydration, different types of sunburns, and in my opinion, the worst of all- heatstroke.

As defined by the Mayo Clinic, heatstroke "is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher."

source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581#:~:text=Heatstroke%20is%20a%20condition%20caused,common%20in%20the%20summer%20months. 

Avoid these issues by ensuring you have and drink plenty of water during your hike, wear a hat and sunscreen with a high SPF, and choose to hike when temperatures are not too extreme. Typically, I enjoy hiking when the temperature is around 75 degrees Farenheight or lower. 

source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.denverhealth.org%2Fblog%2F2020%2F07%2Fidentifying-signs-of-heat-stroke-and-other-heat-illness-during-covid-19&psig=AOvVaw1sOHkjM4vl75Kkw5YwKyuQ&ust=1648173615554000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCKjll6nT3fYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE 

Forest Fires

Forest fires can be caused by human or natural causes, such as people leaving campfires unattended, or lightning striking in a forest. They emit large 

Some of their main detriments include destruction of ecosystems, increased air pollution, and significant affects on regional air quality. For humans, it is incredibly harmful to inhale forest fire smoke, which can lead to "eye and respiratory tract irritation... [and] more serious disorders, including reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death." (USEPA). 

information source: https://www.epa.gov/air-research/wildland-fire-research-health-effects-research#:~:text=Wildfires%20increase%20air%20pollution%20in,heart%20failure%2C%20and%20premature%20death. 

If you're planning to hike in an area with forest fire risk, check out a map beforehand (available on "Weather Checklist" page), and read the following link before setting out in case of an emergency:

https://laist.com/news/how-to-survive-a-wildfire-tips 

source: https://www.spiedr.com/blog/wildfire-benefits/ 

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms are certainly not ideal for hiking, and should be avoided if possible, as they are associated with multiple harmful weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, hail, lightning, and precipitation static. They occur when layers of warm, moist air rise in a swift updraft to cooler regions of the atmosphere. The moisture contained within this updraft condenses to form towering cumulonimbus clouds and, eventually, precipitation. Columns of cooled air then sink earthward, striking the ground with strong downdrafts and horizontal winds. These storms vary in form, including basic storms, mesoscale convective systems, and supercells-- though regardless of the type, if encountered while hiking, you should find shelter ASAP!

If no shelter is available, stay away from tall trees and try to put lots of space between anyone hiking with you in order to eliminate a chain-reaction lightning strike. 

source: https://www.campman.com/blog/a-field-guide-to-mountain-thunderstorms-staying-safe-in-the-high-country/ 

WINTER HAZARDS

source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/11/winter-hiking-snow-avalanche-deaths-california-alaska 

Extreme Cold Temperatures and Snowstorms

A major risk for hiking in the wintertime is experiencing the dangers of extreme cold temperatures, which, if ill-prepared, can include: 

• Frostbite: occurs when skin and underlying tissues in your body freeze and harden (can cause permanent damage to skin, muscle, and bone tissue).  
• Hypothermia: occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, typically sets in once your body temperature sinks below 35 degrees celsius (normal body temp is around 37 degrees celsius) 

Windchill is not a physical ailment, but is an additional factor to consider in extremely cold temperatures; this is the phenomenon that occurs when temperature and wind combine to make it feel colder than is actually the case. Below 0 degrees celsius with serious windchill, your hike will start to become less enjoyable. Check wind forecasts before heading out to avoid this issue. 

Snowstorms are a similar occurrence, which often involve extreme cold temperatures, but are often also accompanied by harsh winds and a combination of slow and other precipitation. These can be triggered by cold fronts in the atmosphere, and should be avoided at all costs. In the case of experiencing a snowstorm, seek shelter and conserve as much body heat as possible. 

In order to avoid these conditions, it is smart to abide by a general system for layering clothing: this includes starting with a snug wool or synthetic fabric base layer to draw sweat away from your body, adding a mid-layer to insulate your body and retain heat (often a down jacket or thicker coat), and using a weather-proof or water-resistant outer layer to protect your clothes from any precipitation or wind that may occur. According to local temperatures and weather, these layers can be adjusted to fit the climate you are in, as well as changed as your body exerts energy during your hike. This idea is demonstrated in the graphic below: 

source: https://www.voyageurtripper.com/layering-clothing-for-hiking/

Avalanches

Avalanches pose extreme threats to winter hikers in snowy/alpine areas, and like forest fires, can be naturally caused or induced by humans. They form differently depending on the amount of moisture present in the air (also known as the "snow climate"), and can be triggered depending on the location of weak layers within the snowpack. The two main types of avalanches include:

• Sluff: composed of loose snow, likely to knock you off your feet, but unlikely bury you
• Slab: composed of cohesive blocks, likely to knock you off your feet and bury you

As BC is situated in a Coastal snow climate, heavy snowfall and warmer temps are likely; this means the snowpack on mountains in this area are more stable with fewer weak layers. Unfortunately, this does not eliminate the chance for an avalanche to occur. Digging a snow pit 1-2 meters deep and investigating the stability of each layer within the snowpack by inserting a finger or fist into different heights of the snow can give you a realistic estimate of snow conditions your given day. If layers on the top are solid with weaker layers beneath, consider hiking on a different day.

Additionally, as mentioned on the "Weather Checklist" page, it is important to check avalanche conditions prior to hiking in snowy areas. Visit the "Weather Checklist" page for more information and resources for checking avalanche conditions in BC. If hiking or venturing into snowy areas frequently, consider taking an Avalanche Safety course (often offered through ski resorts or outdoor equipment stores). 

source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2021/03/11/this-very-very-deadly-avalanche-season-aint-over-yet/?sh=5e7addb45ae0 

Blowing Snow and Fog

As discussed on the "Weather Checklist" page, it is important to be wary of blowing snow and fog. These weather events can both impair visibility and pose risks to your hiking group, including impairing navigational abilities, increasing chance of injury, and increasing the likelihood of becoming separated or lost. 

Fog (another word for clouds at ground elevation) isn't only a winter risk, but in below freezing temperatures, freezing fog can form; this occurs when valley fog falls below 0 degrees celsius and consequently freezes everything else in its path, including the clothes and gear of hikers (amongst other flora and fauna in the area). In addition to freezing fog, valley fog (fog that forms in the bottom of a valley) and marine fog (when a combination of advection and radiation fog moves in from the ocean) also pose risks to visibility. If you encounter severe fog, do your best to stick to the trail, or use a GPS to help navigate your way out.

Blowing Snow occurs when harsh winds pick up loose snow on the snowpack's surface. This can be dangerous because it impairs visibility, but also because when blowing snow occurs, there is also significant wind chill. Prepare for your trip with plenty of layers, and consider packing protective eye gear to avoid adverse effects. 

source: https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/what-is-freezing-fog-3/434465 

To see what weather conditions you should check before heading out, consult the "Weather Checklist" page!