Gaia GPS
  • Explore The Map
  • Get the App
  • Upgrade Today
  • Explore The Map Catalog
  • New Features
    • Gaia GPS

      The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia…

      April 24, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Your Trail-Ready Adventure…

      March 18, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia…

      December 12, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Goodbye Clutter, Hello Streamlined Maps: Introducing Sync to…

      November 26, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

      August 15, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      2023 Mapped: Our Best New Features of the…

      December 27, 2023

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Adventure Easier Than Ever with New Map…

      July 27, 2023

    • New Maps
      • Gaia GPS

        Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

        August 15, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Find Prime Viewing for Total Solar Eclipse with…

        March 27, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        See the World More Clearly with New Gaia…

        May 18, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Gaia Classic: The Only Map You’ll Ever Need?

        May 4, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Why NatGeo Trails Illustrated are America’s Favorite Maps

        February 9, 2023

        Backcountry Skiing

        Find Backcountry Skiing in Gaia Winter Map

        January 11, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Our Favorite New Maps and Features

        December 23, 2022

  • Activities
    • Backcountry Skiing
    • Boating
    • Emergency Response
    • Fishing
    • Offroading
  • Adventures
    • User Stories
  • Help
Top Posts
The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia...
A Fond Farewell to National Geographic Maps —...
Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Your Trail-Ready Adventure...
Download the app and get a free 14-day...
Gaia GPS is Improving Satellite Imagery: Saying Goodbye...
How I Used Gaia GPS to Navigate Italy
Gaia GPS x Toyota: A New Way to...
Download Gaia GPS– iOS & Android App
Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia...
Important Update: Changes to Esri World Imagery Offline...
Gaia GPS
  • Explore The Map
  • Get the App
  • Upgrade Today
  • Explore The Map Catalog
  • New Features
    • Gaia GPS

      The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia…

      April 24, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Your Trail-Ready Adventure…

      March 18, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia…

      December 12, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Goodbye Clutter, Hello Streamlined Maps: Introducing Sync to…

      November 26, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

      August 15, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      2023 Mapped: Our Best New Features of the…

      December 27, 2023

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Adventure Easier Than Ever with New Map…

      July 27, 2023

    • New Maps
      • Gaia GPS

        Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

        August 15, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Find Prime Viewing for Total Solar Eclipse with…

        March 27, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        See the World More Clearly with New Gaia…

        May 18, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Gaia Classic: The Only Map You’ll Ever Need?

        May 4, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Why NatGeo Trails Illustrated are America’s Favorite Maps

        February 9, 2023

        Backcountry Skiing

        Find Backcountry Skiing in Gaia Winter Map

        January 11, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Our Favorite New Maps and Features

        December 23, 2022

  • Activities
    • Backcountry Skiing
    • Boating
    • Emergency Response
    • Fishing
    • Offroading
  • Adventures
    • User Stories
  • Help
Tag:

forecast

Gaia GPSNew Features

OpenSnow Weather Now Available at-a-Tap on the Map

by Abby Levene November 9, 2022
written by Abby Levene

There’s no such thing as bad weather, just poor planning. The problem is, you need to know what the weather will be so you can plan accordingly. Predicting the weather grows particularly challenging as the days grow shorter, colder, and wetter. 

We have a solution.

While we can’t supply a crystal ball, we can supply the weather for exactly where you’re going, exactly where you need it—right on the map. We partnered with OpenSnow, the leading resource for backcountry weather, to bring you hyper-localized weather forecasts that you can access at a tap.

Just tap anywhere on the map, anywhere in the world, and get the current weather plus the forecast right in Gaia GPS. Read on to get the full weather-at-a-tap lowdown.

Forecasts from a Trusted Source

We worked hard with our friends over at OpenSnow to bring you the best global weather data for your adventures. Founded by meteorologist and skier Joel Gratz, OpenSnow delivers high-quality weather forecasts worldwide. 

As its name suggests, OpenSnow started as a ski-focused forecasting and snow-reporting website. Its scope has expanded over the past decade to provide high-quality backcountry weather forecasts for all seasons. Now, millions trust OpenSnow for weather forecasting year-round. 

Weather At-A-Tap on the Map

Equally important to forecast quality is accessibility. That’s why we put the forecast right on the map. No more guesstimating the zip codes of your next backcountry skiing zone, four-wheeled desert escape, or ridge line traverse. Get the forecast as you plan your adventures on the map.

Just tap the map in the app or on gaiagps.com, and the weather appears at the top of the tap drawer just under the location coordinates. Notice how the forecast changes as you tap around the map. Get a sense of how the temperature plummets as you move up the mountain, and rises as you descend into canyons.

All the Forecasts You Need, in One Place

Tap anywhere on the map to get all the current weather information you need, including the temperature, cloud cover, chance of precipitation, and wind.

Whether you’re hitting the slopes or setting out on a cross-country cruise, you need more than the current weather. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Click the arrow next to the current weather to get the expanded three-day forecast, as well as a link to the 10-day forecast.

Get Even More Weather Data by Upgrading to Premium with Outside+

Weather at-a-tap is available to all Gaia GPS users. Get even more weather data, including our suite of precipitation and snow forecast maps, by upgrading to Gaia GPS Premium with Outside+.

Premium gives you access to the entire map catalog, including all the maps you need for winter, such as the Avalanche Forecast, Snow Depth, weather reports from snow stations around the west, and ski resort reports. Plus, with Premium you can take your maps offline so you can navigate without cell service. 

November 9, 2022
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
Gaia GPSHow-To

How to Check for Snow on the Trail

by Abby Levene March 10, 2022
written by Abby Levene

Spring is here and the trails are melting out. But conditions at the parking lot do not necessarily tell you what the trail looks like up ahead. Even well into the summer, snow can cling to high mountain passes. Lingering cornices and deep snow drifts can be onerous and present obstacles.

Plus, mountain weather can turn on a dime. A warm, sunny day can quickly escalate into a freezing cold white-out blizzard.

Thankfully, you can use Gaia GPS to help eliminate this guesswork of whether the trails will be sunny and snow-free. In this guide, you will learn how to use recent satellite imagery (FreshSat — Recent and Cloud Free layers), snow depth total estimates (Snow Depth layer), actual snowfall data (Snow Stations Daily layer), and Precipitation and Snow Forecasts to get a sense of how much snow may be on your hike or overlanding trip. And you’ll learn how to use these maps in conjunction with the best community resources to make informed decisions about where to go and what to bring.

All of the maps in this article are available with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership. Upgrade by clicking the button below to get our best discount.

Get a Bird’s Eye View with FreshSat – Recent & Cloud Free

A desktop screenshot shows the FreshSat layer.

If you’re wondering whether you need crampons and an ice axe to climb your next 14er, start by examining the FreshSat layers. These maps provide a near-in-time aerial view of conditions on the ground.

By nature of their source, these images are lower resolution than our other satellite maps. But they provide the most updated views of the terrain and conditions, which proves helpful if you want to see where snow lingers on remote mountain and forested areas. For a more crystal clear areal view, check out the high-resolution Satellite layers.

FreshSat – Recent and FreshSat – Cloud Free both give you a snapshot of relatively up-to-date ground conditions. FreshSat – Cloud Free shows a mostly unobstructed view of the earth’s surface. FreshSat – Recent provides an even more up-to-date picture of ground conditions, but clouds may obstruct some of the view.

Both maps are updated at least every 14 days, using data from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 government satellites. Date stamps on both FreshSat maps make it easy to identify how recently a location has been updated. Simply look at the corner of a map tile to see the date when that image was taken.

Layer these maps with your favorite base map, such as Gaia Topo, to examine the route for your trip. Start by scoping out FreshSat — Recent. If the area is obstructed by clouds, head over to FreshSat — Cloud Free. Zoom into the high points of your route, north-facing slopes, and forested areas to look for signs of snow.

Get FreshSat — Recent and FreshSat — Cloud Free.

Check Estimated Snow Depth Totals with the Snow Depth Layer

A desktop screenshot shows the Snow Depth layer.

Inspired by a thru-hiker looking to track snow depths along the Pacific Crest Trail with Gaia GPS, the Snow Depth overlay gives you an estimate of snow levels covering your next route. Outdoor adventurers can examine how many centimeters of snow most likely exist in specific areas by referencing color-coded indicators of coverage.

In fact, thru-hiker Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy used this map religiously on his recent record-setting Arizona Trail “run.” Stringbean referenced this layer to get a sense of when he might encounter snow on the high-elevation sections of the trail. To do this for your next trip, just place this overlay on top of your basemap. Tweak the opacity to get a picture of how much snow may be on the trail.

When referencing snow depths, remember that estimates are not based on actual observations, but product model output. However, snow depth totals are updated every 24 hours by both NOAA and Gaia GPS. Data for snow depth values come from the NOAA National Weather Service’s National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC) Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS).

If you’re looking to find snow totals for a storm in the western U.S. or Canada, reference the Snow Stations (Daily) map — see below. You can also get actual snow data by checking your local climate center or weather source. SNODAS recommends the American Association of State Climatologists, NOAA Regional Climate Centers, and NOAA National Climatic Data Center.

Get the Snow Depth overlay.

See if it Snowed Overnight with Snow Stations (Daily)

iPhone screenshots show the Snow Stations (Daily) layer.

Snow chains on or off? If you’re heading out on an overlanding or backpacking trip through the mountain west, pair the Snow Depth overlay (above) with real-time snow data found in the Snow Stations (Daily) layer to get an even more accurate sense of conditions.

The Snow Stations map taps into hundreds of remote SNOTEL and Canadian weather sensors to show just how much snow fell — or melted — over the last 24 hours in mountain zones around the west. The map also provides water density readings to give you a sense of how heavy and wet this new snow may be. Readings are updated once every hour.

To use this layer, look 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 the icon for more info.

Get the Snow Stations (Daily) map.

Check for Incoming Storms with Precipitation and Snow Forecasts

An iPad screenshot shows the 48-hour Precipitation Forecast layer.

Don’t underestimate what weather may be coming your way. Check the forecast so you’re prepared, and so you know when to reroute or stay home. Get a quick weather reading right in Gaia GPS with Precipitation and Snow Forecast overlays.

Three Precipitation Forecast overlays give you the 24-, 48-, and 72-hour forecasts. Each taps directly into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting data. The NOAA Weather Prediction Center (WPC) researches and releases short-term forecasts twice a day, based on predictive models and satellite imagery. Their reports can forecast heavy rain, snow, and flash flooding up to seven days in advance.

Find out if that rain will turn to snow by looking at the Snow Forecast layers. Gaining a sense of whether you simply need a raincoat or could benefit from warmer layers and heftier footwear could make or break the safety and comfort of your trip. Like the Precipitation Forecast, the Snow Forecast comes in 24-, 48-, and 72-hour options.

Choose the best day to head out on the trail by referencing the right weather overlay. Heading out for a weekend backpacking trip? Check out the 72- or 48-hour forecasts to get a view of overall precipitation. Use the 24-hour forecast to get a quick and accurate prediction for the weather today and tomorrow. You must be connected to the internet to view the Precipitation and Snow Forecast maps.

Get the 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour Precipitation Forecasts. And get the 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour Snow Forecasts.

Watch: Discover if the Trails Are Melted Out

Talk to People!

Maps provide invaluable tools — but they don’t replace first-hand beta. Talk to people who have recently visited the area to get as up-to-date trip reports as possible. In addition to your friends and local community, check out Facebook groups, subreddits for the area, local trail organizations and park websites, and Backpacking Light forums. And of course, there’s the good old-fashioned telephone; you can use it to call the ranger’s station to get the latest trail conditions report.

For example, mountain athlete Kyle Richardson has summited Longs Peak (Neníisótoyóú’u) in Rocky Mountain National Park 52 times, during all seasons. He even set a speed record on it last summer. Despite his intimate familiarity with the 14er, he never assumes to know what the mountain may have in store that day. When deciding whether to attempt Longs (and what gear to bring), Richardson checks the Rocky Mountain National Park webcam, mountain-forecast.com, and 14ers.com for recent trip reports.

Look at the photos other visitors have posted. In addition to forums, you can find recent photos by checking relevant hashtags on Instagram and Twitter. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And once you’ve gone on your trip, do the community a favor and drop a line on the conditions you encountered.

A Note on Safety

You can use these resources and maps as a planning tool to help you pack, plan your route, and be ready for the weather and trail conditions ahead. Know the terrain and alternate routes ahead of time. Plan for inclement weather, even if none appears in the forecast. Gaia GPS provides map layers to help prepare, but making wise decisions remains with you.

March 10, 2022
4 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
Gaia GPSNew Maps

Air Quality Forecast Maps Available in Gaia GPS

by Corey Buhay June 18, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Plan hikes and runs—and estimate just how good the views are going to be—with the EPA Air Quality forecast maps in Gaia GPS. You can view current estimated levels of pollutants with the Air Quality (Current) overlay, or take a look at upcoming levels with the Air Quality (Tomorrow) overlay.

Updated daily with information from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Air Quality map overlays are available to users with a Premium Membership. You can find them in the Feature/Weather Overlays category of the map manager.

Why Air Quality Matters

Clean air is essential to human health. People with asthma, young children, older adults, and individuals with a history of heart or lung trouble are all at risk when air pollutant levels are moderate or slightly above moderate. If air gets much more polluted than that, even healthy adults could experience adverse symptoms, including trouble breathing or irritation of the eyes and nose. Prolonged exposure to pollution, especially ozone, or smog, can damage the insides of your lungs.

Air quality is especially important when you’re exercising outdoors, as exercise increases your respiration rate. More breaths per minute means more exposure to any pollutants.

Plus, one of the best parts of being outdoors is breathing in clean, clear air. You can also see more distant mountains and forests on clear days. So, it makes sense to pick your hiking days based on the air quality forecast the same as you would a precipitation forecast: The better the forecast, the more fun you’ll have.

a clear view of mountains with good air quality
Good air quality means clearer views.

About the Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index (AQI), developed by the EPA, reports levels of some of the most common air pollutants: ozone (smog), particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. An AQI reading of 101 corresponds to a level that is above the national air quality standard. The higher the AQI rating, the greater the health impact.

The Air Quality map layer uses color coding to indicate AQI. Each category is identified by a simple descriptor that conveys how air quality within each category impacts public health. The table below defines the AQI categories you’ll see on the map. (On this map, uncolored areas indicate good air quality that poses no risk to human health.)

Map legend for the Air Quality Index.
The Air Quality Index, as defined by the EPA. This color coding system serves as the map legend for the Air Quality overlays in Gaia GPS.


June 18, 2019
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
App UpdatesGaia GPSHow-ToHuntingiOSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Plan Your Winter Adventure with the Snowfall Forecast Overlay

by Corey Buhay November 30, 2018
written by Corey Buhay

Whether you’re chasing powder or just trying to avoid a day of postholing in two feet of fresh, the new 24-, 48-, and 72-hour Snowfall Forecast overlays make it easy to dial in your winter trip prep.

Available for both iOS users as well as on gaiagps.com, the Snowfall Forecast overlays use color-coded shading to show the expected snow accumulation. That makes it easy to plan ski trips, pick the right traction and flotation for winter hikes, and assess avalanche conditions. Just combine the Snowfall Forecast overlay with your base map of choice (and, if you’re doing avy analysis, the slope-angle shading overlay.)

https://blog.gaiagps.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Snow-Overlay.mp4

Snowfall Predictions Updated Every 6 Hours

The Snowfall Forecast overlays draw data directly from the Winter Weather Desk of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Weather Prediction Center. The Winter Weather Desk uses a combination of predictive models to create its forecasts, which the National Weather Service then reviews and refines. The collaborating teams constantly refresh their models, providing updated reports every six hours.

The forecasts can accurately predict snow accumulation as far as three days (72 hours) in advance, and they cover all of the continental U.S. as well as parts of southern Canada.

How to Use the Snowfall Forecast Overlay

These overlays derive their predictions from NOAA’s probabilistic weather forecasts, which calculate the percent likelihood that a certain amount of snow will accumulate over a given time period. Gaia GPS uses NOAA’s 50th percentile forecasts. That means there’s a 50-percent chance that each shaded area will receive the indicated amount of snow accumulation during the forecast period. (This may seem low, but it gives the user the best estimate of land area likely to be affected by snow. For that reason, it’s the percentile most commonly shown on other popular forecasting sites.)

Add the Snowfall Forecast Overlay to Any Map in Gaia GPS

Available for gaiagps.com and iOS users with Premium Memberships, the Snowfall Forecast overlays can be viewed with an internet connection. Since the forecasts are always changing, they can’t be downloaded for offline use. However, when you look at the snowfall forecast in the app, your device will cache snapshots of the areas you viewed. The cached data will remain available on your device for 24 hours.

From the Map Sources menu, navigate to the Feature/Weather Overlays category. Pick the forecast overlay that suits your planning needs, and add it atop any base map. Set the transparency to between 30 and 40 percent for optimal visibility.

Check out this video for more tips on adding new map sources in the app:

A Note on Safety

Weather forecasts make great planning tools, but you should always research the terrain and alternate routes ahead of time, and cross-reference any forecast you use with several others for the most accurate predictions. And no matter what the reports say, plan for inclement weather, just in case.

November 30, 2018
1 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
Load More Posts

Categories

  • Adventures
  • Android
  • App Comparisons
  • App Updates
  • Backcountry Skiing
  • Boating
  • Company News
  • Emergency Response
  • Featured
  • Fishing
  • Gaia GPS
  • Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast
  • GaiaCloud
  • Hikes
  • How-To
  • Hunting
  • iOS
  • New Features
  • New Maps
  • Newsletter
  • Offroading
  • Out and Back Podcast
  • User Profiles

Recent Posts

  • The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia GPS Turned an Overlander Into a Reluctant Hiker
  • A Fond Farewell to National Geographic Maps — And a Look at What’s Ahead
  • Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Your Trail-Ready Adventure Buddy
  • Download the app and get a free 14-day trial of Gaia GPS Premium
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • RSS
    • Explore The Map
    • Get the App
    • Upgrade Today
    • Explore The Map Catalog
    • New Features
      • Gaia GPS

        The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia…

        April 24, 2025

        Gaia GPS

        Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Your Trail-Ready Adventure…

        March 18, 2025

        Gaia GPS

        Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia…

        December 12, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Goodbye Clutter, Hello Streamlined Maps: Introducing Sync to…

        November 26, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

        August 15, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        2023 Mapped: Our Best New Features of the…

        December 27, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Discover Adventure Easier Than Ever with New Map…

        July 27, 2023

      • New Maps
        • Gaia GPS

          Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

          August 15, 2024

          Gaia GPS

          Find Prime Viewing for Total Solar Eclipse with…

          March 27, 2024

          Gaia GPS

          See the World More Clearly with New Gaia…

          May 18, 2023

          Gaia GPS

          Gaia Classic: The Only Map You’ll Ever Need?

          May 4, 2023

          Gaia GPS

          Why NatGeo Trails Illustrated are America’s Favorite Maps

          February 9, 2023

          Backcountry Skiing

          Find Backcountry Skiing in Gaia Winter Map

          January 11, 2023

          Gaia GPS

          Our Favorite New Maps and Features

          December 23, 2022

    • Activities
      • Backcountry Skiing
      • Boating
      • Emergency Response
      • Fishing
      • Offroading
    • Adventures
      • User Stories
    • Help

    @2024 - All Right Reserved. Gaia GPS


    Back To Top