# Avalanche Forecasts vs Snow Report & Forecast

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Avalanche Forecasts at none against Snow Report & Forecast's 4. Avalanche Forecasts also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (76% vs 67%). Snow Report & Forecast's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (4K vs 403). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Snow Report & Forecast sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Avalanche Forecasts asks for nothing beyond the download.

Avalanche Forecasts holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Snow Report & Forecast has 4K ratings behind it against 403, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Avalanche Forecasts's written reviews are positive against 67% of Snow Report & Forecast's.

Avalanche Forecasts ships an update every 8 months, Snow Report & Forecast every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Avalanche Forecasts | Snow Report & Forecast |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (403 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avalanche-forecasts/id501231389/reviews)** | [4.4 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snow-report-and-forecast/id1300009673/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 403 | **4K** |
| Positive reviews | **75.7% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#160** |
| Size | 37 MB | 56 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Sierra Avalanche Center](https://appshunter.io/developer/1651253835) | [LW Brands, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/963599018) |

## What reviewers say

### Avalanche Forecasts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avalanche-forecasts/id501231389)

Access real-time avalanche danger levels across North America with this app. View color-coded danger levels on a map for your chosen timeframe and explore detailed forecasts from over 20 forecasting centers. Stay informed about conditions wherever your adventures take you.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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)

**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

**Requested features**

- iPad Pro screen size optimization
- Trip planning tools
- Slope evaluation features
- Checklists for backcountry planning
- Inclinometer tool


### Snow Report & Forecast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snow-report-and-forecast/id1300009673)

**Currently charting:** #160 Top Grossing · Weather (US App Store)

Access detailed snow and weather forecasts from NOAA and NOHRSC. View hourly and multi-day outlooks, satellite imagery, and weather map overlays. Offers pinpoint forecasts for specific locations.

**Highlights:** 7-day NOAA Point & Zone Snow Forecast, 3-day NOHRSC Hourly Snowfall Forecast, GOES Satellite Imagery, NWS Weather Forecast Discussion Reports, 16-day NCEP Weather Forecast Models, NOAA Weather Map Overlays, iOS 14 Widgets

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Subscription (Monthly) | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Subscription (Yearly) | $9.99 | per year |
| Tip the Developer | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tip the Developer | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Excellent accuracy
- 🔍 Detailed snow forecasts
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💰 Good value for money
- 🚀 Fast and responsive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🕰️ Updates during critical times
- 🌍 Limited coverage outside US
- 🔍 Confusing interface navigation
- 🔢 Inconsistent data between locations

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard issues on iPad
- Forecast data contradictions
- Frequent update notifications

**Requested features**

- Snow depth data integration
- Landscape mode for iPad
- Snow alerts and notifications
- Metric units support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Avalanche Forecasts free?

Avalanche Forecasts is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Snow Report & Forecast free?

Snow Report & Forecast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Avalanche Forecasts or Snow Report & Forecast?

Avalanche Forecasts is rated higher. Avalanche Forecasts averages 4.7 out of 5 from 403 ratings, while Snow Report & Forecast averages 4.4 from 4K ratings.

### Do Avalanche Forecasts or Snow Report & Forecast have ads?

Neither Avalanche Forecasts nor Snow Report & Forecast shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Avalanche Forecasts or Snow Report & Forecast?

Avalanche Forecasts ships an update every 8 months, and Snow Report & Forecast every 3 weeks. Most recently, Avalanche Forecasts was updated on November 1, 2026 and Snow Report & Forecast on November 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*