The 2025-26 winter season marks a profound milestone for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), celebrating half a century of dedicated service to the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception, NWAC has been a cornerstone in providing science-based avalanche forecasting, fostering community engagement through education, and upholding an unwavering commitment to public safety in mountainous terrain. What began as a small, determined group of scientists operating out of the University of Washington has blossomed into a nationally recognized and respected institution. This is the narrative of NWAC: the story of visionary individuals, the overcoming of significant challenges, and the innovative spirit that propelled it to become a preeminent authority in mountain weather and avalanche forecasting.
The Genesis of Avalanche Awareness: A Growing Need in the 1970s
The mid-20th century witnessed a burgeoning enthusiasm for winter recreation across the western United States. Skiing, snowboarding, and backcountry exploration surged in popularity, inadvertently leading to a stark increase in avalanche-related fatalities. From an average of seven deaths per year in the preceding decades, the toll tragically climbed to over twenty annually by the 1970s. While avalanche control programs and safety education initiatives began to expand, the sheer volume of public exposure to avalanche-prone areas continued to escalate, underscoring a critical gap in real-time hazard information.
In response to this growing concern, pioneers like Paul Frankenstein of the U.S. Forest Service (Snoqualmie National Forest) and Frank "Bud" Reanier of the National Weather Service (Seattle) initiated rudimentary avalanche warnings during periods of particularly hazardous conditions. However, a formal, systematic forecasting structure was notably absent. This began to change in the early 1970s when Ken White, also with the Forest Service, launched the Northwest’s first avalanche hotline, designated as 442-SNOW. Initially serving the Snoqualmie Pass area, this pioneering hotline represented a significant stride towards the comprehensive, real-time forecasting network that is now an indispensable resource.
The Birth of NWAC: Bridging Science and Urgent Need
The mid-1970s marked the inception of a pivotal collaboration between key governmental agencies and academic institutions. A formal partnership was forged between the Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service. Central to this initiative were dedicated researchers from the University of Washington, most notably the esteemed snow scientist Dr. Ed LaChapelle, alongside his promising graduate students Mark Moore and Rich Marriott.
Their primary directive was clear: to develop a practical and effective avalanche forecasting program. This program was critically needed to support highway operations, particularly along the vital Interstate 90 corridor and the newly opened North Cascades Highway, both of which were frequently imperiled by the threat of devastating avalanches. These routes served as essential arteries for regional transportation, and their vulnerability to natural hazards demanded a proactive and scientific approach to safety.
December 6, 1975: The Inaugural NWAC Forecast
What commenced as a temporary research endeavor rapidly evolved into a fully operational and indispensable service. On December 6, 1975, NWAC issued its inaugural official backcountry avalanche forecast, positioning it as the second program of its kind in the United States, following Colorado’s Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), which began operations in 1973.
The foundational efforts of Rich Marriott and Mark Moore, then still graduate students, were instrumental in this formative period. Working in close conjunction with Dr. Ed LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, they diligently issued forecasts, meticulously built vital instrumentation, and actively engaged with both local and federal agencies to disseminate critical safety information.
NWAC Takes Shape: The Late 1970s and 1980s
By 1978, NWAC entered a crucial new phase of formalization and expansion. A significant cooperative agreement was established, bringing together the Forest Service, the National Weather Service, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the National Park Service. Roland "Em" Emetaz, a strong proponent of avalanche safety within the Forest Service, played a pivotal role in securing the necessary support to solidify NWAC’s operational standing. This agreement facilitated cost-sharing mechanisms and officially designated the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office as the administrative body for the program.
In these nascent years, NWAC operated with a remarkably lean but dedicated team and infrastructure:
- Limited Personnel: The core team consisted of a handful of passionate individuals, often working with makeshift equipment.
- Rudimentary Technology: Forecasting relied heavily on manual data collection, telephone communication, and early forms of modem technology.
- Informal Funding: Early operations were often sustained through a combination of agency contributions, grants, and the sheer ingenuity of its staff.
The original NWAC team, comprising individuals who would shape its trajectory through the 1970s and 1980s, included:
- Mark Moore: A steadfast leader who remained with NWAC throughout his career, significantly influencing its development.
- Rich Marriott: A key founder who transitioned to a successful career in broadcast meteorology.
- Pam Speers Hays: An early forecaster who contributed significantly to the program’s development.
- Sue Ferguson: A highly influential figure in snow science and avalanche safety.
Mark Moore, who began his tenure at NWAC in 1975 and retired in 2012, was the driving force behind the center’s enduring success, championing its mission and shaping it into the respected organization it is today. Rich Marriott, after his foundational work at NWAC, embarked on a distinguished career in broadcast meteorology, becoming a familiar face on KING 5 News in the Puget Sound region for over three decades.
The contributions of Sue Ferguson were particularly profound. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Massachusetts and a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, where she was mentored by Dr. Ed LaChapelle, Sue brought an exceptional level of scientific rigor and vision to the field. She served as the Director of the Utah Avalanche Center from 1984 to 1986 before joining NWAC as an avalanche meteorologist from 1986 to 1992. Her academic contributions to snow science were extensive, complemented by her authorship of instructional books on glaciers and avalanches. Sue was also instrumental in the founding of The Avalanche Review and the American Avalanche Association, leaving an indelible mark on the broader avalanche community. Her dedication and influence continued until her tragic passing from cancer in 2005. Mark Moore poignantly memorialized her in April 2006, stating, "Upon arriving at the Northwest Avalanche Center, she lost no time in putting her mark on the operation and on what she felt were the best ways were for logging data and getting information. She was precocious and a quick learner and she had a great ability to gain a broad and reasoned perspective on whatever task she took upon herself to discover."
Beyond the forecasting team, the technical innovations and unwavering support of Phil Taylor, a local Seattle engineer, were indispensable to NWAC’s early success. Taylor, who first connected with Mark Moore and Rich Marriott at the University of Washington in the 1970s, dedicated countless hours to designing, fabricating, and testing critical weather instruments. Many of the wind instruments, snow boards, and other mountain weather monitoring equipment developed by Taylor remain in use by NWAC today. His custom-built instruments are deployed not only across the Cascades but also on remote peaks subjected to the harshest weather conditions. As current NWAC Avalanche Forecaster Andy Harrington noted in a tribute to Taylor, "To say that his contributions to our industry are overlooked would be an understatement. Although never in the spotlight, he worked closely with some of the pioneers of our industry to create instrumentation that helps us all perform our jobs better. The tools and guidance he provided over the years have allowed so many of us to better understand factors that contribute to avalanches in the mountains."
Innovation on a Shoestring Budget
In an era preceding widespread access to advanced technology and substantial budgets, NWAC staff often relied on their ingenuity and resourcefulness to maintain operations. The initial setup involved leasing a dedicated phone line connecting Seattle and Stevens Pass to ensure constant data flow. A rudimentary modem facilitated the decoding of weather data transmitted via chairlift and phone lines back to the NWAC office.
When equipment inevitably malfunctioned, the solutions were as creative as they were pragmatic:
- Improvised Repairs: Duct tape and readily available materials were frequently employed to keep essential instruments operational.
- DIY Solutions: Staff often built or modified existing equipment to meet specific field needs.
- Resourceful Communication: Leveraging existing communication infrastructure, even when unreliable, was key to disseminating forecasts.
Earning Trust: Integrating with the National Weather Service
The co-location of NWAC with the Seattle National Weather Service office in 1978 presented its own set of challenges and triumphs. Initially, there was a degree of skepticism from some NWS forecasters. Rich Marriott humorously recalled, "The forecasters didn’t like us. Mark and I looked like we had just come out of the backcountry after two years—huge hair, huge beards. They wanted to have us deloused."
However, the consistent provision of high-quality mountain observations and the burgeoning data network developed by NWAC gradually proved its immense value. Even the most initially doubtful meteorologists came to recognize the critical importance of the program. A pivotal figure in fostering this integration was Bud Reanier, then Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NWS in Seattle. Reanier’s strong belief in the program’s potential and his advocacy were instrumental in embedding NWAC within the broader forecasting community and establishing its credibility.
Mark Moore, a central figure in NWAC’s early days, was often seen diligently working within the NWS office, surrounded by an array of maps, forecasts, and weather data, a testament to the program’s commitment to comprehensive analysis.
Expansion and Professionalization: The 1990s and 2000s
For several decades, NWAC operated with a core team of three forecasters, diligently refining their forecasting methodologies and systematically expanding their network of mountain weather stations. A significant organizational step occurred in 1999 with the establishment of the nonprofit Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. This organization was founded to bolster the center’s growing needs in public education and fundraising. Eventually, this community-driven nonprofit would merge with the Forest Service’s NWAC operations, creating a unified organizational structure.
Alongside Mark Moore, two forecasters formed the backbone of NWAC for nearly three decades: Kenny Kramer (serving from 1989 to 2019) and Garth Ferber (serving from 1993 to 2016). Garth Ferber’s calm and consistent demeanor was a hallmark, whether he was behind the forecast desk or undertaking challenging expeditions worldwide. During the later stages of his career, Garth took a leading role in NWAC’s weather station program, providing invaluable mentorship to the next generation of forecasters that extended well beyond his retirement. Kenny Kramer ascended to the position of NWAC Forecast Director in 2013. While his prowess in weather and avalanche forecasting was widely acknowledged, it belied his personal passion for tropical locales and surfing. Kenny, in collaboration with Scott Schell, NWAC’s Non-Profit Executive Director, Dennis D’Amico, NWAC’s current Forecast Director, and Simon Trautman, who would later become the Director of the National Avalanche Center, laid crucial groundwork for NWAC’s transition and expansion throughout the 2010s, a period marked by a surge in backcountry usage and rapid technological advancements.
The year 2013 saw NWAC expand its operational capacity with the introduction of a field-based professional observer program comprising six individuals, including Dallas Glass, who currently serves as NWAC’s Forecast Deputy Director. The subsequent years, beginning in 2017, witnessed a steady and significant growth in NWAC’s field and community-based avalanche forecasters. The team expanded from its historical baseline of three meteorologists to a total of eleven forecasters, strategically positioned across various regions, from Bellingham to Hood River and from Seattle to Leavenworth.
Today: A Hub of Innovation and Impact
Presently, NWAC operates as a sophisticated and vital organization, staffed by a dedicated team and supported by a robust network of resources.
NWAC’s current operational capacity includes:
- Forecasting Staff: A team of 11 highly trained avalanche forecasters.
- Observer Network: A network of over 60 trained volunteer avalanche observers providing crucial ground-truth data.
- Weather Station Network: Over 100 automated remote weather stations strategically deployed across the region.
- Community Education: A comprehensive outreach program that educates thousands of backcountry users annually.
- Public Access: Widely accessible forecasts and safety information through its website and mobile app.
Collectively, NWAC has achieved significant milestones:
- Forecast Dissemination: Issuing over 1,300 detailed avalanche forecasts each season, covering vast and diverse mountainous areas.
- Data Collection: Gathering millions of data points annually from weather stations and observer reports to inform forecasts.
- Public Engagement: Conducting numerous educational programs, workshops, and outreach events, reaching thousands of individuals.
- Technological Integration: Leveraging advanced forecasting models, GIS technology, and data visualization tools.
The enduring success of NWAC is also a testament to the unwavering support from long-standing partners:
- U.S. Forest Service: Providing essential operational funding and logistical support.
- National Weather Service: Facilitating data sharing and integration into broader weather forecasting efforts.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Collaborating on highway avalanche mitigation and public safety.
- National Park Service: Supporting forecasting and education within national park boundaries.
- Friends of NWAC: A vital non-profit organization driving fundraising and public awareness initiatives.
Charting the Future: Sustaining a Legacy of Safety
From ingenious field repairs using basic materials to the implementation of sophisticated high-tech modeling and widespread smartphone accessibility, NWAC has consistently embraced innovation. The journey from two young scientists painstakingly crafting an avalanche forecast to a comprehensive center issuing over 1,300 forecasts annually, educating thousands of backcountry enthusiasts, and garnering millions of dollars in community support over the decades, underscores its profound impact. As the number of individuals venturing into the backcountry continues to rise, NWAC’s mission to promote informed recreation becomes increasingly critical.
NWAC stands as a powerful reflection of the Pacific Northwest community itself: resilient, resourceful, and deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its members. As it commemorates 50 years of dedicated service, the center honors the individuals who laid its foundations, the steadfast partners who have sustained its operations, and the public that has wholeheartedly embraced its vital safety information.
Looking ahead to the next fifty years, NWAC remains firmly anchored in its core belief: that informed decision-making in the backcountry saves lives. Whether an individual is ascending a quiet ridge, navigating a snow-laden highway, or imparting knowledge about avalanche safety to others, they are an integral part of NWAC’s ongoing narrative. The center is profoundly proud of its past, deeply grateful for the ongoing support it receives, and enthusiastically anticipates the challenges and triumphs that the next fifty years will undoubtedly bring.
