# Going Blue — Weather forecasts by satellite > Satellite messenger weather forecast app for remote locations. (iPhone/iPad app by Lane Aasen.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/going-blue/id6798411927 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Lane Aasen](https://appshunter.io/developer/6798411929) - Category: Weather - Price: Free - Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.4 · 96 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-08-17 - Data updated: 2026-09-17 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/going-blue/id6798411927/reviews.md ## What is Going Blue? Going Blue is an expedition weather app designed specifically for satellite messengers. It was built for a Denali ski expedition with one goal: to get you all the weather information you would have at home, wherever you are. Going Blue uses a custom codec to pack hundreds of forecast data points into a single message that can be sent over SMS, Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, or iPhone satellite messaging. How it works 1. Build a forecast request in the app. Choose the location, model, and variables that you care about. 2. Send the forecast request to Going Blue via the internet, SMS, Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, or iPhone satellite messaging. 3. Receive an encoded message from Going Blue. Paste it into the app to see a detailed forecast. Features - Satellite ready: Get forecasts anywhere in the world, without cell reception. Works with Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, and iPhone satellite messaging. - Hundreds of data points per message: Uses custom compression optimized for weather data to fit a detailed weather forecast into a single message. - 30+ weather models: Forecasts from high-resolution models like HRRR (3km), HRDPS (2.5km), ICON-D2 (2km), and MET Norway (1km). Automatically chooses the best model for your location. - Detailed cloud cover: See up to 10 levels in the atmosphere to differentiate between high clouds, valley fog, and whiteout conditions. - Mountain forecasts: Pressure-level winds and freezing level for high-altitude mountaineering. - Air quality: Plan around wildfire smoke and other pollution with AQI forecasts. - Model agreement: See how well the forecast agrees with models from NOAA, ECMWF, ECCC, and DWD. - Works offline: All forecasts are saved on your device for comparing multiple models and past forecasts while offline. - Private: Going Blue requires no account and does not store your name, email, or phone number. ## Key features - Satellite messenger compatibility - Custom data compression codec - SMS, Garmin inReach, iPhone messaging support - Hourly and 13-day forecasts - Multiple weather variables - Over 30 forecast models - Forecast comparison ## Frequently asked questions about Going Blue ### How does Going Blue get weather data? Going Blue uses a custom compression codec to pack hundreds of forecast data points into a single message. This message can then be sent over SMS, Garmin inReach, or iPhone satellite messaging for you to decode within the app. ### What kind of weather information does Going Blue provide? Going Blue includes temperature, snow, rain, wind, and cloud cover by default. Optional variables for advanced users include pressure-level winds, AQI, and freezing level. ### How many weather models does Going Blue use? Going Blue utilizes forecasts from over 30 models, including HRRR, HRDPS, ICON-D2, and MET Norway. It automatically selects the best model for your specific location. ### Can I compare different weather forecasts with Going Blue? Yes, Going Blue allows you to compare forecasts from American, Canadian, and European centers. All forecasts are saved on your device for easy comparison of multiple models and past data. ### What devices does Going Blue support? Going Blue is currently supported on iPhone devices. It is designed to work seamlessly with satellite messaging capabilities on these devices. ### How often is Going Blue updated? The latest version of Going Blue is 1.1.0, which was last updated on August 20, 2026. Updates typically focus on improving forecast accuracy and expanding model support. ### Is Going Blue suitable for high-altitude mountaineering? Yes, Going Blue offers optional variables like pressure-level winds, which are crucial for high-altitude mountaineering. This allows for detailed planning in challenging environments. ### Does Going Blue have ads? No, Going Blue does not contain advertisements. The app is completely free and ad-free, focusing solely on providing essential weather data. ## Version history (last 4 releases) ### 1.3.0 — 2026-09-07 - Added the ICON model from DWD. - Added a model agreement score that shows how well the forecast agrees with forecasts from NOAA, ECCC, ECMWF, and DWD. - Added a model comparison mode. To use it, pull forecasts for the same location from multiple models. A comparison switch will appear below the meteogram. - Improved meteogram rendering performance so that switching between forecasts feels instant. - Added humidity variables: dewpoint, relative humidity, and feels-like temperature. - Expanded detailed cloud cover from 8 to 10 levels, adding 250 and 200 hPa for high peaks. ### 1.2.0 — 2026-08-26 - Added ZOLEO support with 240 character messages (up from 160 on SMS/Garmin). - Added Garmin Messenger support for newer inReach devices. - Expanded support for multi-message forecasts from iPhone to all devices. - Expanded detailed cloud cover from 3 to 8 levels and improved detailed cloud rendering in the meteogram. - Expanded pressure-level winds from 3 to 7 levels. - Added a floating legend to the meteogram. - Split out rain, snow, and precip chance in the meteogram to improve legibility. - Added support for mixed rain/snow weathercodes when there is a substantial amount of each precip type. - Improved meteogram rendering speed. - Added offline maps with downloadable region packs. - Added more options to the unit selector. - Merged Builder and Decoder tabs into a single page. ### 1.1.0 — 2026-08-20 - Added air quality variables: AQI, PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide. Supports both American and European scales. - Added support for iPhone satellite messaging with multi-part messages. - Corrected precipitation type for elevation. Open-Meteo already adjusts temperature from grid cell elevation to forecast elevation using a temperature lapse rate formula. This change also remaps rain to snow when the forecast elevation is above the freezing level or the temperature is less than -2°C. Uses a 7:1 snow:liquid ratio. Weathercode is also remapped. - Improved weathercode aggregation to better summarize mixed conditions. - Added model attribution to the meteogram so that the switch between a high-resolution local model and a low-resolution global model is clear. - Expanded SMS alphabet from 85 to 124 characters by using almost all of GSM-7 instead of the intersection of GSM-7 and ASCII. ### 1.0 — 2026-08-17 No release notes. --- *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 2026-09-17.*