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Hi there,
Not sure how many people like me bring a windup/solar powered portable radio into the backcountry, but my husband and I have always appreciated Environment Canada's 24 hour weather radio service, even though we didn't always get the greatest signal in places like Algonquin P.P. In fact, the last few years the signal in Algonquin's interior has been getting weaker, so I guess it shouldn't have been a big surprise when we got word that the service is now gone.
We always appreciated getting the weather forecast, and we have even timed some of our windbound days based on the forecasts for wind, which, unlike the precipitation forecasts, were pretty reliable. Our canoe trips usually last 2 weeks, so knowing a bit of the forecast was very helpful.
The only other device we carry to get the forecast is our Garmin inReach mini, but this only seems to work when we have a clear view of the sky, and we like to reserve the Garmin for emergencies only.
My questions are, what equipment do others on this forum use to get the forecast when you are off-grid for lengthy periods of time? Does anyone else out there use the weatheradio like we always did, or are we just incredibly old school?
Here is a like to an article:
Weatheradio going off the air. Environment Canada moves online
See you out there,
Marianne
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I used it a lot too, especially on longer trips. In Algonquin, I will probably just tune into the closest Moose station now. You can tune into one almost anywhere in the park as they broadcast from both west and east of the park, and do regular, albeit less detailed, weather forcasts. 105.5 Huntsville is usually pretty easy to get.
Further abroad though it will be a bit tougher. Each summer I do a coastal canoe trip, either Superior or East Coast, and the weather radio, with the added marine forecast, was something we relied on heavily. From what I have read, areas where there is a Coast Guard station, they will be broadcasting a forecast. Unfortunately, that won’t really work for Algonquin. I believe that Algonquin and some of the other big parks across Canada would relay the weather radio, or provide a weather/conditions forecast on the parks information radio stations. I have never tuned into it, but maybe there is something there.
Some PLB’s have weather forecast abilities which could be an option as well. I am not keen on them, other than in case of an emergency, but it could be an option.
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I haven't taken a radio camping in many years, but you mentioning that definitely brought me a wave of nostalgia. These days I use my inReach Mini for weather forecasts. I've never had a problem sending or receiving messages with the Mini, no matter how heavily treed my campsite might be. It doesn't tend to work well inside a tent, however!
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