Weather updates by text, wherever you are
In low signal or no signal via satellite, Outdoor Text replies with the forecast, active weather, park alerts, or a quick web search.
No account or sign-up. Your first 10 texts are free, and alerts from the National Weather Service and National Park Service are ALWAYS free. NONE of your message history is kept.
Ask it real questions
Text it the way you’d ask someone at the ranger station. State a location in every weather question - your message history is never kept.
Know the conditions now and for the next 12 hours, or ask it for hourly weather in the morning, afternoon, evening or overnight.
High and low temps, chances of rain, and wind when it’s 20 mph or more.
Receive active National Weather Service warnings for any location, always free.
Official National Park closures, dangers and cautions, always free.
Answers to questions found on the web.
Check your free replies and balance, with a link to top up any time. Text TOP UP to get the link.
Shortcuts
Plain questions always work, but you can also start a text with one of these:
- WX place
- Weather now and the next 12 hours
- FC place
- Three-day forecast
- ALERTS place
- Weather alerts
- PARK name
- National park alerts
- ASK question
- A web answer
- MORE
- The rest of a long answer
- BAL
- Free replies, balance and a top-up link
- TOP UP
- A link to add funds
- HELP
- How to use it
A place can be a town and state (Lone Pine CA), a ZIP code (93545), a park (Yosemite National Park), or coordinates (36.58,-118.29).
Built for the backcountry
One text back
Every reply fits in a single message, with no emoji or symbols that would split it, so it arrives in one text or satellite message.
Straight from the source
Weather and alerts come from official National Weather Service and National Park Service data.
Leave no trace
We NEVER keep what you text, what we reply, or where you are. Read the privacy policy.
Pack light, pay as you go
Your first 10 weather, forecast or question replies are free. After that, prepay from your phone when you're back in signal using card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Link.
| Weather | 5¢ per reply |
| Three-day forecast | 5¢ per reply |
| Questions (ASK) | 25¢ per reply |
| Weather and park alerts from the National Weather Service and National Park Service | Always free |
Top up your balance with $5, $10, $20 through a one-time link texted to you. Balances never expire, and if we can't answer your question, you're not charged.
Questions
Does Outdoor Text work without cell service?
Yes! If your phone can send a regular text message over satellite, you can text (855) 886-4321 from places with no cell signal and get the answer back as a single text.
Which phones work?
Any phone can send and receive text messages if there is enough of a cell signal. Where there's no cell signal, satellite messaging is supported on iPhone 14 and later using Messages via satellite (iOS 18 or later, in the US) and phones on T-Mobile T-Satellite. Check with your carrier for coverage where you are going.
How do I ask for the weather?
Text a question the way you would ask a ranger and name a location such as a town and state, a ZIP code, a park, or GPS coordinates. For example: will it rain at Isle Royale tonight?
How much does it cost?
Your first 10 weather, forecast or question replies are free. After that, weather is 5¢, a 3-day forecast is 5¢ and a question is 25¢ per reply, from a prepaid balance. Alerts from the National Weather Service and National Park Service are always free.
Do I need an app or an account?
No. There is nothing to install and no signup. Your phone number is your account, and you add funds through a link texted to you when you have signal.
Does it work outside the United States?
We will reply to any number that texts us. Alerts are US only because they come from the US National Weather Service and National Park Service. iPhone satellite messaging is currently only available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. T-Mobile T-Satellite is currently only available in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada and New Zealand.
Is Outdoor Text an emergency service?
No. Outdoor Text is not an emergency service. Satellite messages can be delayed, and forecasts can be wrong. In an emergency, use your phone’s emergency SOS or call 911.
Outdoor Text is for planning. Satellite messages can be delayed or lost, and forecasts can be wrong. In an emergency, use your phone's emergency SOS or call 911.
Messaging disclosure
Outdoor Text sends automated replies by SMS to the number that texts it. You opt in by texting us first; we reply only to the messages you send, plus one welcome message after your first text. We never send marketing messages. Message frequency depends on how often you text us. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. See our Terms, Privacy policy and how opt-in works.