Find the freshest, lightest, and deepest snow for your next winter adventure with the new Snow Stations (Daily) map. This map taps into hundreds of remote SNOTEL and Canadian weather sensors to show just how much snow fell over the last 24 hours in mountain zones around the west. The map also gives water density readings to give you a sense of whether the new snow stacks up light and dry like Montana’s famous cold smoke or wet and heavy like Sierra cement.
No more trial-and-error in driving up to the pass or trailhead to hunt down the best snow conditions. Backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers can simply check the Snow Stations (Daily) map before heading out the door to get a real-time look at conditions on peaks and passes in the Western US and British Columbia. This map is constantly updated to bring you a fresh look at conditions in backcountry areas across the mountain west. You can view this map with a Premium Membership on the web and in the Gaia GPS app when connected to the internet or cell service. This layer is not available for downloading.
Real-Time Snow Data
The Snow Stations (Daily) map helps you find the freshest snow conditions by pulling data from almost a thousand United States Department of Agriculture SNOTEL sites and British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development weather stations. Updated once every hour, these weather stations send out real-time information on total snow depth, snow water content, 24-hour change in snow totals, and more.
Find the location of all the SNOTEL and Canadian weather stations near you by looking for color-coded snowflake icons on the map. Each snowflake represents a remote weather station and the color of the snowflake indicates how much snow has fallen or melted in the last 24-hour reporting period.
Click on the icons to get more information about the location of the site and the weather conditions in that area. A pop-up will show the name, elevation, and the date and time the weather station last sent an update. View snow depth totals, 24-hour change in snow, and snow water equivalent changes within the last 24 hours. The link within the information pop-up on the map takes you to the weather station’s page, where you can learn more specifics about the sensor’s exact location and the maximum, minimum, and average temperature readings at the site for the last seven days, month, or a customized time frame of your choosing.
Location of Snow Stations (Daily)
You’ll find stations located in the most remote areas of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and British Columbia, Canada. The weather stations were originally placed in these watersheds in the 1960s as a way to measure and forecast water availability for agricultural use. The SNOTEL sites quickly developed into a climate resource for backcountry enthusiasts. Skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers, and snowmobilers keep a close eye on conditions by referencing SNOTEL data. Hikers, bikepackers, and backpackers are equally interested in learning about spring, summer, and fall temperature readings and precipitation activity for backcountry areas they plan to visit.
How to Get the Snow Stations (Daily) Map
The Snow Stations (Daily) map is available in the app and online with a Premium Membership. Tap the layers icon from the Gaia GPS app on your phone or in your account on the web and select the “Add map layers” button. Scroll down and tap the “Feature /Weather Overlays” and select “Snow Stations Daily.” Tap the “+” icon to add it to your active map layers.
Layer this map on top of your favorite basemap, like Gaia Topo, USGS Topo, or even satellite imagery maps. Use the 24-, 48-, and 72- hour Precipitation layers to see what weather is predicted to come your way. Take a look at the Snow Depth layer to get a picture of how much snow is already on the ground. Always check in with the Avalanche Forecast map before heading out of cell service range.
