# Avalanche Forecasts

> Real-time avalanche danger levels and detailed forecasts across North America. (iPhone/iPad app by Sierra Avalanche Center.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avalanche-forecasts/id501231389 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sierra Avalanche Center](https://appshunter.io/developer/1651253835)
- Category: Weather, Sports
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 402 App Store ratings · 74 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 38 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-02-14
- Data updated: 2026-07-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avalanche-forecasts/id501231389/reviews.md

## What is Avalanche Forecasts?

Get real-time updates on avalanche danger levels with Avalanche Forecasts. 

Our app makes it easy to see current danger levels at-a-glance for every forecast center in North America. Simply select your desired timeframe (Today/Tomorrow/2 Days Out) and view color-coded danger levels on the map. Click on any region to view the detailed avalanche forecast from the source forecasting center.

With support for forecasts from over 20 centers, including NWAC (Northwest US), CAIC (Colorado), UAC (Utah), SAC (Central Sierras), ESAC (Eastern Sierras), MSAC (Mount Shasta), BAC (Bridgeport, CA), BTAC (Jackson Hole), GNFAC (Bozeman), WCMAC (Missoula), FAC (Kalispell/Whitefish), SNFAC (Sun Valley), IPAC (Idaho Panhandle), PAC (McCall), MWAC (Mount Washington), KPAC (Flagstaff), TAC (Taos), WAC (NE Oregon), CNFAIC (Chugach), JAC (Juneau), AAC (Anchorage), HAIC (Haines), VAC (Valdez), Cordova, HPAC (Hatcher Pass), Avalanche Canada, Parks Canada, WhistlerBlackcomb, VIAC (Vancouver Island), and Avalanche Quebec (Chic Chocs) forecasting centers, you can stay informed no matter where you are.

For feature suggestions, bug reports, or other feedback, please contact us at project-development@sierraavalanchecenter.org.

## Key features

- Real-time avalanche danger levels
- Map view with color-coded danger levels
- Selectable timeframes (Today, Tomorrow, 2 Days Out)
- Detailed forecasts from over 20 centers
- Support for NWAC, CAIC, UAC, and more

## What do users think of Avalanche Forecasts?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy-to-use interface and navigation
- 🗺️ Consolidated map view of multiple avalanche regions
- ⚡ Quick access to critical avalanche forecasts
- 🆓 Free app with valuable safety information
- 📱 Simple and intuitive design for on-the-go access
- 🌍 Covers multiple regions across North America
- 📊 Color-coded forecast ratings for at-a-glance understanding
- 🔗 Direct links to official avalanche center reports

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🐛 Color coding not displaying correctly (especially Washington state)
- 🐛 Offline cache feature not working for certain regions
- 🐛 Regional data not populating even when connected to internet
- 🔄 App not updating forecasts from certain centers (NWAC)
- 📱 Poor support for newer phone screen sizes and iPad Pro
- 🗺️ Removed features from previous versions (weather stations, report pins)
- 🎯 Difficult navigation to specific regions after updates
- ⚠️ Dangerous for novices due to display bugs showing incorrect ratings
- 🔧 Outdated app not supporting newer iOS versions

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes at startup
- Color coding displays as gray for entire regions
- Offline cache not functioning for NWAC zones
- Mt Hood zone not populating data
- Clicking on regions shows all state forecasts instead of specific region
- 404 errors when clicking on certain zones
- Event map photos not displaying or appearing extremely small
- Requires phone to be turned sideways to view properly
- Clicking zone options produces no response
- Detailed info screens cannot be scrolled
- App formatting suddenly messes up and jumps around
- App hangs and becomes unresponsive

**Most requested features**

- iPad Pro screen size optimization
- Trip planning tools
- Slope evaluation features
- Checklists for backcountry planning
- Inclinometer tool
- Restore weather stations and report pins from old version
- Smaller scale region selection
- Support for additional avalanche centers (e.g., CBAC for Crested Butte)
- Event map photo viewing improvements
- Landscape mode support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 74)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avalanche-forecasts/id501231389/reviews.md

### 1/5 — WOW one giant leap backwards

*2023-02-17, version 2.1.0*

The old app had weather stations and report pins right on the map was very easy to use, helped make more informed decisions 
Really wish the new app was better

### 1/5 — Multiple issues

*2022-12-13, version 2.1.0*

Offline cache feature not working for NWAC zones and Mt Hood zone doesn’t populate even when connected to internet. Would love to give this app 5 stars for what they’re trying to accomplish, but the execution is significantly poor for the NWAC regions at least.

### 5/5 — Good App

*2022-04-29, version 1.6*

Please update for iPad Pro screen size ?

### 5/5 — Love this app!!!

*2022-03-01, version 1.6*

Demystifies avalanche conditions, whether you’re going to the back country or just dreaming about it.

### 5/5 — Great UX to access avalanche forecasts.

*2021-12-23, version 1.6*

Simple quick way to access current and upcoming avalanche forecasts. Well done.  Would be great to see more features like trip planning, slope evaluation, checklists, inclinometer etc for a one stop shop for planning trips to the back country.

### 3/5 — Great app, WA map stopped indicating color

*2021-12-17, version 1.6*

I love this app but something broke in 2021 winter.  Map for WA no longer shows forecast colors, but when you tap on sub-region it still gives correct forecast.  Web version still works as expected.

### 5/5 — Sick app

*2021-02-07, version 1.6*

Great resource that gives you exactly what you sign up for

### 1/5 — No color coding in Washington state

*2020-12-21, version 1.6*

I've used this app for years, and love it.  But this year there is no color coding for "at a glance" forecast -- it is all gray.  

And when I tap on a region, I get all the forecasts for the entire state starting with the Olympics.

Canada looks and works, but who is in charge of Washington?  You're not doing your job !!!

### 1/5 — What happened to this app?

*2020-12-21, version 1.6*

The entire Cascade Range is shown on the map as a grey “No Rating”. When you click on a specific region, it takes you not to that specific region, but to a list of all of the regions, and when you find the one you’re looking for, the avy risk is orange/considerable or red/severe, not grey.

This app is dangerous to use for a novice!

### 1/5 — Hard to find WA reports

*2020-12-15, version 1.6*

I want to like this app. I look at WA state avy conditions. This app makes it hard to find that information. I can find it, but it’s inconvenient, like it doesn’t like NWAC data or the data’s not formatted correctly. BC zones work, why not WA?? Despondent. Fix my problems. Please. I will love you. I’m using iOS 14.2, latest version of avy forecast as of today.

## Frequently asked questions about Avalanche Forecasts

### What does the Avalanche Forecasts app do?

This app provides real-time updates on avalanche danger levels across North America. It allows users to view current danger levels at a glance on a map, color-coded by severity, for their selected timeframe. Users can also click on specific regions to access detailed avalanche forecasts from the source forecasting centers.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include real-time avalanche danger level updates, a map interface with color-coded danger levels, the ability to select timeframes (Today, Tomorrow, 2 Days Out), and access to detailed forecasts from over 20 different forecasting centers across North America.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the app is completely free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, making it a free resource for accessing avalanche information.

### What regions and forecasting centers are covered?

The app covers numerous forecasting centers across North America, including regions in the Northwest US (NWAC), Colorado (CAIC), Utah (UAC), Sierras (SAC, ESAC, MSAC, BAC), Wyoming (BTAC), Montana (GNFAC, WCMAC, FAC), Idaho (SNFAC, IPAC, PAC), Washington (MWAC), Arizona (KPAC), New Mexico (TAC), Oregon (WAC), Alaska (CNFAIC, JAC, AAC, HAIC, VAC, Cordova, HPAC), Canada (Avalanche Canada, Parks Canada, WhistlerBlackcomb, VIAC), and Quebec (Avalanche Quebec).

### Who is the target audience for this app?

This app is designed for anyone who ventures into avalanche-prone terrain, including skiers, snowboarders, hikers, mountaineers, and outdoor enthusiasts. It's particularly useful for those planning trips in the backcountry where understanding avalanche risk is crucial for safety.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.58 — 2026-01-07

Library updates.

### 2.2.51 — 2023-05-03

Fixed problem with the map not showing the correct forecasts on resume.

### 2.2.50 — 2023-05-02

Switched to using reported times for forecast start and expiration.
Updated danger scale banner image.
Fixed handling of cached files.

### 2.1.0 — 2022-06-28

Moved to new framework and updated libraries.

### 1.6 — 2015-02-17

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- every single avalanche forecast center in North America is now integrated
- "no rating" forecasts are colored grey, not white, on the forecast map
- minor bugfixes and enhancements

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## Related topics

[avalanche forecasts](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/avalanche-forecasts) · [avalanche forecast](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/avalanche-forecast) · [avalanche inclinometer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/avalanche-inclinometer) · [avalanche canada](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/avalanche-canada) · [caic avalanche](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/caic-avalanche) · [nwac](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nwac) · [avalanche](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/avalanche) · [caic](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/caic) · [uac](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uac)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-10.*