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⛈️ Weather, wildfire, smoke and safety
Check these before you leave and again on the way. Mountain weather changes fast, and fire seasons bring closures and smoke.
Most people go to:
| Site | Best for | Coverage | Cost | App | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Weather Service ↗ Official | Official forecasts, point forecasts for exact locations, warnings | US | Free | Web | Visit ↗ |
| Mountain-Forecast ↗ | Forecasts at summit and different elevations | Worldwide | Free | Web | Visit ↗ |
| OpenSnow ↗ | Snow and mountain weather forecasts | US and beyond | Free + paid | iOS, Android | Visit ↗ |
| Windy ↗ | Wind, rain and storm maps | Worldwide | Free + paid | iOS, Android | Visit ↗ |
| InciWeb ↗ Official | Official wildfire incident information | US | Free | Web | Visit ↗ |
| AirNow fire and smoke map ↗ Official | Smoke and air quality near fires | US | Free | Web | Visit ↗ |
| AirNow ↗ Official | Air quality forecasts | US | Free | iOS, Android | Visit ↗ |
| Avalanche.org ↗ | Avalanche forecasts by region | US | Free | Web | Visit ↗ |
| NPS alerts and closures ↗ Official | Closures and warnings in national parks | US national parks | Free | NPS app | Visit ↗ |
| Satellite communicators (Garmin inReach) ↗ | SOS and messaging with no phone signal | Worldwide | Device + subscription | Device | Visit ↗ |
| Leave No Trace ↗ | The seven principles for minimum-impact camping | Worldwide | Free | Web | Visit ↗ |
💡 Always check the park or forest's own alerts page for closures. They're the final word.
Links open in a new tab. “Official” means a government site. Links are tagged so each site can see the visit came from Recreation.org. Prices and features change; check each site before you book. Last checked October 2026.
Questions
Where can I check official weather and fire information?
The National Weather Service has official forecasts and warnings. InciWeb lists wildfire incidents, and AirNow shows smoke and air quality.
What should I check before a trip?
The forecast for your exact location and elevation, fire restrictions and closures, and the park or forest's alerts page.
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