Comparison

Avalanche Forecasts vs Going Blue

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Avalanche Forecasts

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
Read full description

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.

About

Going Blue

This weather app provides detailed forecasts via satellite messengers, ideal for remote expeditions. It compresses extensive weather data into single messages, accessible through SMS, Garmin inReach, or iPhone satellite messaging.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

Going Blue is an expedition weather app designed specifically for low-bandwidth satellite connections. It is built for skiers, alpinists, backpackers, kayakers, sailors, hunters, and anyone else who needs detailed weather forecasts in remote places. Going Blue works with direct-to-cell satellite internet, SMS, Garmin inReach, iPhone satellite messaging, and ZOLEO. 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 direct-to-cell satellite internet (Starlink Direct to Cell, T-Satellite), 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. - Avalanche forecasts: Full avalanche forecasts from Avalanche Canada. - 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. Terms of Use: https://going.blue/terms

Screenshots

Avalanche Forecasts4 screens
Going Blue4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Avalanche Forecasts at none against Going Blue's 2. Avalanche Forecasts also leads on ratings volume (403 vs 4) and device support (3 vs 1). Going Blue's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 8 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, ads, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Going Blue sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Avalanche Forecasts asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Going Blue holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Avalanche Forecasts has 403 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Avalanche Forecasts ships an update every 8 months, Going Blue every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Avalanche Forecasts versus Going Blue: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAvalanche ForecastsGoing Blue
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (403 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings403 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB111 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSierra Avalanche CenterLane Aasen

Customer experience

Avalanche Forecasts

All ratings403 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral2.0%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive75.7%
Neutral9.5%
Negative14.9%

Going Blue

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Avalanche Forecasts

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • 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
Show 7 more
  • 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

Requested features

10 requests
  • iPad Pro screen size optimization
  • Trip planning tools
  • Slope evaluation features
  • Checklists for backcountry planning
  • Inclinometer tool
Show 5 more
  • 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

Going Blue

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Avalanche Forecasts

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Going Blue

Subscriptions2
  • Going Blue Expedition (1 month)$9.991 Month
  • Going Blue Expedition (annual)$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Avalanche Forecasts free?
Avalanche Forecasts is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Going Blue free?
Going Blue is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Avalanche Forecasts or Going Blue?
Going Blue is rated higher. Avalanche Forecasts averages 4.7 out of 5 from 403 ratings, while Going Blue averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Avalanche Forecasts or Going Blue have ads?
Neither Avalanche Forecasts nor Going Blue shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Avalanche Forecasts or Going Blue?
Avalanche Forecasts ships an update every 8 months, and Going Blue every 8 days. Most recently, Avalanche Forecasts was updated on November 1, 2026 and Going Blue on November 13, 2026.

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