Before you set out on your hike, it's important to examine the following weather conditions to prioritize the safety and enjoyment of your group!

1. Will there be any precipitation, fronts, harsh winds, or extreme temperatures? Check the forecast! 

Upon checking most weather channels or apps online, information about expected precipitation, fronts, winds, and temperatures can be found all in one place. 

One great resource for this is the Government of Canada website, which allows viewers to examine weather conditions and forecasts by location!

source: https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-74_metric_e.htmlLinks to an external site.  

The Government of Canada has also recently released an app version for weather updates, entitled "WeatherCAN," which is available for download on mobile devices. It contains several features in addition to knowledge about precipitation, fronts, and the current temperatures of your area (in Canada). 

source: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/weather-general-tools-resources/weathercan.htmlLinks to an external site. 

In regards to hiking, temperature is usually manageable if it doesn't get too extreme- be sure to dress in multiple layers, so you can add or remove clothing as your body temperature adjusts, and keep a raincoat or water-resistant jacket in your pack in case things are forecasted to get wet. Hiking in rain is not always dangerous, but it can make the trail very muddy and difficult to ascend/descend. Also take note that temperatures typically decrease with elevation gain, so even if you're not cold when you leave your house, it might be a different story once you're on the mountain. 

Another great resource for predicting mountain weather is https://www.mountain-forecast.com/Links to an external site. ! 

Here, you'll be able to view almost all the information you need in one place, by using the interactive map to search by area. You can read maximum, minimum, and wind chill temperatures (available in Celsius and Farenheight), the expected cloud coverage, check weather maps for approaching fronts, temperatures at different mountain elevations, and check wind directions and magnitude. 

images sourced from: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Goat-Mountain-Vancouver-British-Columbia/forecasts/1401Links to an external site. 

If any of these elements are looking too extreme (i.e. winds too strong, approaching precipitation front, extreme hot or cold temperatures, etc.), think twice about taking your hike. With outdoor adventuring, it's  always better to be safe than sorry. Plus, weather eventually clears- so pick another day with nice weather to go! 

2. What is the visibility like? Will I be able to navigate the trail safely?

Visibility is a major component of mountain safety; without proper visibility, your group risks getting lost,  separated, and increases likelihood of injury. Though it may seem like common sense, be sure to check times for sunrise and sunset where you're going to be hiking; being stuck on a trail in the dark without a headlamp or other light source isn't fun, and can get very dangerous very fast. Especially if your group is hiking in a canyon or other area where sunlight is occluded, take this into account when considering the time it will take you to reach the end of the trail.

Depending on the time of year and location you're hiking, when it comes to visibility, you should also be on the lookout for fog and blowing snow. More information about these factors can be found on the "Weather Information" page, but as a general note, if it's expected to affect your trip in an extreme way, find another trail to hike or consider rescheduling for a different time. 

source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fradvanadventures.com%2F2013%2F05%2F01%2Fthe-cold-damp-magic-of-fog%2F&psig=AOvVaw3DCBlcYs_OMpeTZGJUYa-Z&ust=1648171027768000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjhxqFwoTCKCZndfJ3fYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABADLinks to an external site. 

Navigation is also a very important part of venturing into wilderness, and it's possible for poor visibility to impact your ability to navigate by vision only. For this reason, always make sure you have a trail map handy, a battery powered GPS or beacon, and note the major landmarks you pass. 

3. Is there a risk of thunderstorms, avalanches, or forest fires? 

To find more information on thunderstorms, avalanches, and forest fires, consult the "Weather Information" tab on this ePortfolio. But, as a general rule, avoid these weather events at all costs!! All three of these events have been fatal to hikers in the past, and are incredibly dangerous to encounter, especially without the right safety equipment to handle them. Fortunately, there are ways you check the conditions to prevent running into any unsafe situations. For instance: 

Avalanche Canada: https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/sea-to-skyLinks to an external site. 

source: https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/sea-to-sky 

The site above describes avalanche conditions in Canada in real time on their interactive map; here, you can find information about their elevation, slope directions, likelihood of occurring, and possible sizes. This is a good site to consult in the case of hiking an alpine or snowy area. 

AccuWeather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/whistler/v8e/weather-forecast/53264Links to an external site.

In addition to the other weather resources mentioned above, AccuWeather is another good site for checking upcoming precipitation and fronts in your desired area. Here, they have links to an interactive weather radar map which can show upcoming weather events in an incredibly easy-to-read format.

BC Wildfire Dashboard: https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/f0ac328d88c74d07aa2ee385abe2a41bLinks to an external site. 

BC Wildfire and Air Quality:

https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.htmlLinks to an external site. 

For hikes in British Columbia, (especially in the summertime), it's a good idea to check out this interactive wildfire map produced and updated every two hours by the provincial government. If you are hiking during wildfire season but there's no fires currently affected the place you're hiking, consider checking the second link, an interactive air quality map (also set up by the provincial government) to ensure the air quality in your hiking area isn't being negatively affected by large fires nearby. 

source: https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/f0ac328d88c74d07aa2ee385abe2a41bLinks to an external site. 

If you've gone through this checklist and conditions are looking good, congrats! You're almost ready to hike! Head over to the "Go/No-Go Checklist" tab to finalize your trip.