Built for the backcountry
BoltWX provides on-demand forecasts with the details that hikers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers need to stay safe in the mountains.
The most reliable forecasts
BoltWX uses high-resolution forecasts from the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the Meteorological Service of Canada to provide detailed and up-to-date weather for your specific location.
Mountain focused
BoltWX forecasts are customized for backcountry and alpine pursuits, and include the crucial details that are unavailable in the standard weather forecasts offered by most satellite communicator services.
Easy to use
Your satellite device does all the work. Simply message the BoltWX service and receive a detailed forecast for your location in moments. Tested with Garmin InReach®, ZOLEO™, Bivy Stick™, and Apple iOS® 18 satellite messaging.
How it works
Make good decisions in the backcountry with accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts designed for hikers, skiers and mountaineers.
Subscribe
Register to receive your BoltWX access code.
Request Forecast
Message the BoltWX service from your satellite device and include your access code. Your device will automatically include your GPS coordinates.
Receive Forecast
BoltWX will reply with a detailed weather forecast for your GPS location.
Plan your trip
Plan your hike, summit or ski with up-to-date knowledge of the weather that impacts you.
Advanced functionality
Advanced features for guides and expert backcountry users who want every detail.
Choose your timeframe
Get a forecast that is relevant to the length of your trip. Easily request 1, 2 or 3 day forecasts from your device while you're in the backcountry. Click here to learn how.
Specify weather models
Got a favourite weather model that you trust? Request a specific model simply by including its name in the message. Click here to learn how.
Wildfire and avalanche updates
Stay on top of changes in the snowpack or wildfire conditions with access to avalanche forecasts and wildfire information (currently only available in Canada). Click here to learn how.
Frequently asked questions
Hikers, climbers, mountaineers, skiers, guides, kayakers and more - if you're in the mountains and need reliable forecasts, BoltWX has you covered.
BoltWX will work with any device that supports SMS messaging, and has been thoroughly tested with Garmin InReach®, ZOLEO™ and ACR Bivy Stick™ devices. See the FAQ items below for information on how to use BoltWX with these devices. The service will also work with phones that can access satellite networks, such as Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 devices with iOS 18. More devices and systems will be added in future. Motorola Defy devices are not supported as they require messages to be sent through the Bullitt app.
BoltWX is available to private users at no cost.
Your satellite service provider may charge fees to send and receive messages. Please consult with your satellite provider to learn more.
Receiving a BoltWX weather forecast is as simple as subscribing to the BoltWX service and sending a message with your access code and GPS coordinates to your BoltWX access number.
Setup varies slightly across different brands of devices - see below for instructions for your device.
BoltWX forecasts include weather for the next 3 days and are formatted to fit in a single message. Forecasts use either metric units (meters, km/h, degrees Celcius) or Imperial units (feet, mph, degrees Fahrenheit) depending on the Unit Preference setting in your user profile. To identify whether a forecast is in metric or imperial units, look at the units of the model altitude at the top of the forecast (e.g. NAM 1000m or NAM 3280ft). Precipitation intensity and cloud cover abbreviations use the Observation Guidelines and Recording Standards (OGRS) method. Below is an example of a typical BoltWX message with the translation beside it. Download the BoltWX Message Translation Reference Sheet here (JPEG image format) and save it on your phone to refer to in the backcountry.
Message | Translation |
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NAM 1000m | NAM forecast model at a model elevation of 1000m |
Su11p 12*HvRn!SW25|Ovc | Day Time Temperature Precip Lightning (!) Wind Direction & Speed | Cloud |
Mo5a 12*SW25|Clr | Monday 5am 12°C, no rain, winds SW 25 km/h | clear skies |
Mo2p 15*LtRnSW10|Sct | Monday 2pm 15°C, light rain, winds SW 10km/h | scattered clouds |
Mo11p 4*MRnS15|Bkn | Monday 11pm 4°C, moderate rain, winds S 15km/h | broken clouds |
Tu5a 1*FzRnS30|Ovc | Tuesday 5am 1°C, freezing rain, winds S 30km/h | overcast |
Tu2p -1*HvSnS15|Ovc | Tuesday 2pm -1°C, heavy snow, winds S 15km/h | overcast |
Tu11p -4*X+SnSW40|Ovc | Tuesday 11pm -4°C, extreme snow, winds SW 40km/h | overcast |
We5a -1*PelS15|Ovc | Wednesday 5am -1°C, ice pellets, winds S 15km/h | overcast |
We2p 4*LtRn!E50|Bkn | Wednesday 2pm 4°C, light rain, lightning, winds E 50km/h | broken clouds |
We11p 9*SW20|Clr | Wednesday 11pm 9°C, no rain, winds SW 20km/h | clear skies |
BoltWX provides global forecast coverage, with forecast models varying depending on your location. The table below shows the regions supported by the different models. North American users will receive either the NAM (USA) or RDPS (Canada) forecasts by default. If you are outside the area covered by a specific regional model, BoltWX will revert to a comparable model if available, or will fall back the Global Forecast System model to ensure that you receive a forecast.
Global Forecast System (GFS) model | |
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Coverage: | Global |
Period: | 3.5 days (sampled from full 16 day GFS forecast) |
Resolution: | 28km |
Publisher: | US National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |
Official Website: | NOAA Global Forecast |
HRDPS Continental model | |
Coverage: | Continental USA (Note that some parts of Alaska northwest of Juneau are not supported) Canada except for Arctic |
Period: | 2 days |
Resolution: | 2.5km |
Publisher: | Canadian Goverment Department of Environment and Climate Change |
Official Website: | Environment & Climate Change Canada |
HRDPS 1km West model | |
Coverage: | Canada: Limited parts of Western British Columbia and Alberta |
Period: | 2 days |
Resolution: | 1km |
Publisher: | Canadian Goverment Department of Environment and Climate Change |
Official Website: | Environment & Climate Change Canada |
High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model | |
Coverage: | Continental USA |
Period: | 18 hours |
Resolution: | 3km |
Publisher: | US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) |
Official Website: | NOAA HRRR model |
Regional Deterministic Prediction System (RDPS) model | |
Coverage: | Continental USACanada (including Arctic) |
Period: | 3.5 days |
Resolution: | 10km |
Publisher: | Canadian Goverment Department of Environment and Climate Change |
Official Website: | Environment & Climate Change Canada |
North American Mesoscale (NAM) model | |
Coverage: | Continental USA. Note that some parts of Alaska northwest of Juneau are not supported. Canadian lower provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes) Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala |
Period: | 3.5 days |
Resolution: | 12km |
Publisher: | US National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) |
Official Website: | NOAA NAM model |
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates: | West: -136.6 East: -49.0 South: 12.1 North: 58.0 See spatial coverage of the NAM model under the "Time & Location" tab on the NAM model official website. |
You can request a specific weather model by including the relevant keyword below at the beginning of your message to the BoltWX service. Ensure that the keyword is in capital letters and has a space after it. For example, your message should read: HRDPS #ACCESSCODE# (50.12135, -111.12345). If you do not specify a model, BoltWX will default to the NAM forecast model. If you are outside the area supported by the model that you specified, BoltWX will try to send you a model of comparable detail. If no comparable model is available, it will resort to the global GFS system to ensure that you still receive a forecast.
Model Name | Keyword |
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Global Forecast System (GFS) | GFS |
HRDPS Continental | HRDPS |
HRDPS 1km West | HRDPS1KM |
High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) | HRRR |
Regional Deterministic Prediction System (RDPS) | REDPS |
North American Mesoscale (NAM) | NAM |
You can request a forecast for 1, 2 or 3 day timeframes by including the keyword "1DAY", "2DAY" or "3DAY" in your message to BoltWX. For example, your message should read: 1DAY #ACCESSCODE# (50.12135, -111.12345). BoltWX will choose the most detailed forecast model that has data covering the requested timeframe. If you do not specify a timeframe, BoltWX will default to a 3 day forecast. Note that it is not possible to specify both a timeframe and a weather model in the same message.
Timeframe | Compatible models |
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1 Day | HRDPS 1km West, HRDPS Continental, HRRR, RDPS, NAM, GFS |
2 Day | HRDPS 1km West, HRDPS Continental, RDPS, NAM, GFS |
3 Day | RDPS, NAM, GFS |
BoltWX provides access to the 3-day Avalanche Canada public forecast for when access through the offical forecast channels is unavailable. You should always check the official Avalanche Canada forecast before you enter the backcountry. You agree to use the BoltWX forecast at your own risk! (see the BoltWX terms and conditions for our disclaimer about avalanche forecasts). Avalanche forecasts are only available in winter. To receive an avalanche forecast, include the phrase "AVYCAN" in your message. For example, your message should read: AVYCAN #ACCESSCODE# (50.12135, -111.12345) Below is an example of a typical BoltWX avalanche forecast with the translation below it. The forecasts include both the Danger Ratings and the Snowpack Problems. Download the BoltWX Avalanche Message Translation Reference Sheet here (JPEG image format) and save it on your phone to refer to in the backcountry. Terminology used in the forecasts is the same as Avalanche Canada terminology. See the Avalanche Canada glossary here for more information.
Sample Avalanche Message | |
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Mo:CML 300mTu:HCM 1500mWe:XHC 2500m WndSlb:AllElev,NE-W,VLi,s1-2WetLoo:TLN-BTL,AllAsp,Poss,s1-1.5 | Daily danger ratings and freezing levelSnowpack problems and details |
See translation details below | |
Danger Ratings | |
Message Structure | Day: Alpine Rating, Treeline Rating, Below Treeline Rating, Freezing Level |
Rating Levels & Abbreviations | Low (L)Moderate (M)Considerable (C)High (H)Extreme (X) |
Freezing Level | The daily average freezing level in metres above sea level. |
Message Examples | |
Mo:CML | Monday: Considerable, Moderate, Low |
Tu:HCM | Tuesday: High, Considerable, Moderate |
Snowpack Problems | |
Message Structure | Type: Elevations, Aspects, Probability, Size |
Problem Types & Abbreviations | Storm Slabs (StmSlb)Wind Slabs (WndSlb)Wet Slabs (WetSlb)Persistent Slabs (PerSlb)Deep Persistent Slabs (DePerSlb) Loose Dry (DryLoo)Loose Wet (WetLoo)Cornices (Cornice) |
Problem Variables & Abbreviations | |
Elevations | Alpine (ALP), Treeline (TLN), Below Treeline (BTL), All Elevations (AllElev) |
Aspects | North to South (N-S), West to East (W-E), All Aspects (AllAsp) Aspects are always described most-Westerly to most-Easterly (i.e. left to right) |
Likelihood | Unlikely (Unli), Possible (Poss), Likely (Li), Very Likely (VLi), Certain (Cert) |
Size | Size 1.5 to 2.5 (s1.5-2.5) |
Message Examples | |
StmSlb:AllElev,AllAsp,Poss-Li,s1-2 | Wind Slabs: All Elevations, All Aspects, Possible to Likely, size 1-2 |
WndSlb:ALP-TLN,W-E,VLi,s1-1.5 | Storm Slabs: Alpine & Treeline elevations, West to East aspects, Very Likely, size 1-1.5 |
PerSlb:TLN-BTL,SE-SW,UnLi,s1-2.5 | Persistent Slabs: Treeline & Below Treeline elevations, Southeast to Southwest aspects, Unlikely, size 1-2.5 |
(Currently only available in British Columbia, Canada) BoltWX provides access to information about active wildfires near your GPS location for when access through official channels is unavailable. You should always check the official wildfire warning website for your area before you enter the backcountry. Wildfire information is currently available for active wildfires in British Columbia using data from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS). BoltWX is not endorsed by the BC Wildfire Service. Wildfires move quickly and data may not represent the current situation on the ground. You agree to use the information about wildfires provided by BoltWX at your own risk. See the BoltWX terms and conditions for our disclaimer about wildfire information, which you agree to as a condition of using the service. To receive information about nearby fires, include the phrase “FIRE” in your message. For example, your message should read: FIRE #ACCESSCODE# (50.12135, -111.12345) Wildfire messages return information for wildfires within 30km of your GPS location. Note that wildfire messages are not constrained to a single SMS message and will list all fires found. Below is an example of a typical BoltWX wildfire message with the translation below it. Messages use fire terminology defined by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre glossary here (PDF file).
Sample Wildfire Message | |
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Wildfires 30km radius Fire N1234 (EVACUATION ORDER): Out Control, 8.1km W, 1037ha Fire N2345 (EVACUATION ALERT): Being Held, 10.3km S, 487ha Fire N3456: Being Held, 12.2km E, 234ha | Fire name (EVACUATION ORDER/ALERT ACTIVE):Fire status, Distance from your location, Direction from your location, Fire size in hectares |
There are three error messages you might see:
- No GPS location detected: The message you sent to BoltWX did not include GPS coordinates in the decimal degrees latitude/longtitude format.
For example, coordinates should be sent as (44.81637, -64.33601). This format is the default on InReach® and ZOLEO® devices. You may need to wait for your device's GPS to establish its location before sending the message.
Solution: Check that your satellite device is set to include GPS coordinates in SMS messages (this function is disabled by default on InReach devices). See step #2 of the Quickstart Guide. You may also need to wait for your device's GPS to establish its location before sending the message. - No access code detected: A valid subscriber code was not found in the message you sent. To use BoltWX, subscribe to the service to receive an access code. Make sure that code in the message is contained between two hashes, for example #User123#
This code must be included in messages sent to the BoltWX service to validate your subscription.
Solution: Make sure that you are entering your access code in the message, and that it is contained between two hashes, for example #User123#. Double check your access code by logging into your BoltWX account. - Message limit reached: To prevent spam from bots, BoltWX limits each user to 5 messages per hour and then stops replying.
Solution: Wait one hour for the block to be lifted, at which point normal service will resume.