Free Avalanche Forecast App Adds Seven New Regions

Thanks to the efforts of the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), keeping tabs on the latest avalanche forecasts is becoming easier and easier.

Avy, an avalanche safety app developed by NWAC, has added seven additional forecast agencies throughout the U.S. Users can now choose from nine agencies, including the Bridger-Teton, Bridgeport, Crested Butte, Flathead, Mount Shasta, Mount Washington, Northwest, and Sierra avalanche centers.

The app provides wintertime backcountry travelers with a slate of useful tools. The map feature includes colored overlays that indicate avalanche danger in each forecast zone. Users can access complete forecasts that include discussions, avalanche problems, and media provided by the included avalanche centers. A dedicated tab includes recent avalanche sightings and snowpack observations uploaded by Avy users and forecasters. Detailed weather information is also accessible via Avy.

Avy prioritizes offline functionality. When you view an avalanche forecast for a given zone, the app caches it. This way, when you're out in the field and don't have cell phone reception, you can still refer back to the relevant forecast. You can submit snowpack and avalanche observations when you're out of cell service—the app will cache your observations and automatically submit them once you return to service.