The 2025-26 winter season marks a monumental achievement for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), celebrating 50 years of dedicated service to the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception, NWAC has been a cornerstone of science-based avalanche forecasting, community-focused education, and an unwavering commitment to public safety. What began as a small, ambitious initiative by a handful of passionate scientists at the University of Washington has grown into a nationally recognized and highly respected institution. This is the story of NWAC’s evolution: a testament to visionary leadership, the overcoming of significant challenges, and the persistent dedication that has forged one of the most trusted names in mountain weather and avalanche forecasting.
The Genesis of a Critical Need: Avalanche Forecasting in the 1970s
The mid-20th century witnessed a significant surge in winter recreational activities across the western United States. Skiing, mountaineering, and backcountry exploration, once niche pursuits, began to attract a broader audience. This burgeoning popularity, however, came with a tragic consequence: a sharp increase in avalanche fatalities. Data from the period indicates a grim rise, with average annual fatalities climbing from approximately seven to over twenty. While efforts to establish avalanche control programs and safety education were gradually expanding, the sheer volume of people venturing into avalanche-prone terrain continued to outpace these safety measures.
In response to this growing concern, informal forecasting efforts began to emerge. Paul Frankenstein of the U.S. Forest Service’s Snoqualmie National Forest and Frank "Bud" Reanier of the National Weather Service’s Seattle office started issuing rudimentary avalanche warnings during periods of exceptionally high risk. However, these were ad hoc measures, lacking a formal, systematic approach to forecasting. A more structured step forward occurred in the early 1970s when Ken White, also with the Forest Service, launched the Pacific Northwest’s first avalanche hotline. Known by its memorable number, 442-SNOW, this early service initially focused on the Snoqualmie Pass area, laying the groundwork for the comprehensive, real-time forecasting network that NWAC operates today.
The Birth of NWAC: Bridging Science and Urgent Public Safety Needs
The mid-1970s marked a pivotal period, characterized by a collaborative initiative involving the Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service. Central to this effort were researchers from the University of Washington, notably the distinguished snow scientist Ed LaChapelle and his promising graduate students, Mark Moore and Rich Marriott. Their primary objective was to develop a practical and effective avalanche forecasting program, specifically aimed at supporting highway operations. The focus was on critical transportation corridors like Interstate 90 and the newly opened North Cascades Highway, routes that were not only vital for regional connectivity but also acutely vulnerable to the destructive power of avalanches.
December 6, 1975: The Inaugural NWAC Forecast
What began as a temporary research project quickly evolved into a fully operational entity. On December 6, 1975, NWAC issued its first official backcountry avalanche forecast, positioning it as the second program of its kind in the United States, following Colorado’s Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), established in 1973. The foundational work was largely carried out by Rich Marriott and Mark Moore, still graduate students at the time. Alongside Ed LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, they were instrumental in issuing forecasts, developing essential instrumentation, and fostering crucial relationships with local and federal agencies. This early period was defined by a spirit of innovation and a deep commitment to translating scientific understanding into actionable safety information.
The Formative Years: NWAC Takes Shape (Late 1970s and 1980s)
By 1978, NWAC entered a more formalized phase through a cooperative agreement that solidified partnerships between the Forest Service, the National Weather Service, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the National Park Service. A key figure in this organizational development was Roland "Em" Emetaz, whose strong advocacy within the Forest Service was instrumental in securing the necessary support for NWAC’s establishment and sustained operation. This formalized structure facilitated cost-sharing and placed the program’s administration under the purview of the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office.
In its nascent stages, NWAC operated with a lean but dedicated team and limited resources. The early staff included:
- Mark Moore: A key founder and the driving force behind NWAC, who dedicated his entire career to the center, retiring in 2012.
- Rich Marriott: Another founding member, who later transitioned to a highly successful career in broadcast meteorology.
- Pam Speers Hays: An early forecaster who contributed to the developing science and operations.
- Sue Ferguson: A distinguished snow scientist and meteorologist who played a crucial role in NWAC’s development and later led the Utah Avalanche Center.
The period was also marked by the invaluable contributions of individuals outside the direct forecasting team. Phil Taylor, a local Seattle engineer, became a pivotal figure. Having initially connected with Mark and Rich at the University of Washington in the 1970s, Taylor dedicated himself to designing, fabricating, and testing a wide array of weather-measuring equipment. His wind instruments, snow boards, and other specialized tools were designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Pacific Northwest and remain in use by NWAC today. His quiet, persistent work behind the scenes, often in his basement workshop, was essential to the center’s operational capabilities.
The early operational realities often necessitated ingenuity born of necessity. Without the sophisticated technology available today, NWAC staff frequently resorted to resourceful solutions to maintain their forecasting capabilities. "We had to lease a [phone] line between Seattle and Stevens Pass," Mark Moore recalled, highlighting the rudimentary infrastructure. "We had our own line for feeding information all the time," he added, referencing a system that included a basic modem to decode weather data transmitted via chairlift phone lines to the NWAC office. When equipment malfunctioned, as it frequently did, the repairs were often as creative as the initial designs, sometimes involving "chewing gum and beer cans," as the original article humorously suggests, to keep critical instruments operational.
Building Trust: Winning Over the National Weather Service
The co-location of NWAC with the Seattle National Weather Service office in 1978 was a significant step, but not without its initial challenges. "The forecasters didn’t like us," Rich Marriott recounted with a chuckle, describing the initial reception. He painted a vivid picture of himself and Mark Moore appearing "like we had just come out of the backcountry after two years—huge hair, huge beards. They wanted to have us deloused." Despite the initial cultural clash, the unwavering quality of NWAC’s mountain observations and the demonstrable value of its expanding data network gradually won over even the most skeptical NWS forecasters. Bud Reanier, then Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NWS Seattle, played a crucial role as a mentor and advocate, recognizing the program’s potential and facilitating its integration into the broader forecasting community.
Expansion and Professionalization: The 1990s and 2000s
For several decades, NWAC operated with a core team of three forecasters. During this time, they diligently refined their forecasting methodologies and systematically expanded their network of mountain weather stations. A significant development occurred in 1999 with the establishment of the nonprofit Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. This organization was created to bolster the center’s growing needs in public education and fundraising. Over time, this community-driven nonprofit would eventually merge with the Forest Service’s NWAC operations, creating a unified organizational structure.
Key figures who formed the backbone of NWAC’s forecasting efforts for nearly three decades included Mark Moore, Kenny Kramer (at NWAC from 1989 to 2019), and Garth Ferber (at NWAC from 1993 to 2016). Garth Ferber, known for his calm and steady demeanor, was instrumental in advancing NWAC’s weather station program. His mentorship extended well beyond his retirement, influencing a new generation of NWAC forecasters. Kenny Kramer, who ascended to Forecast Director in 2013, was renowned for his forecasting acumen, though his professional dedication was often contrasted with his personal passion for surfing and beach locales.
The 2010s saw NWAC poised for further growth and adaptation. Kenny Kramer, alongside Scott Schell (NWAC’s Non-Profit Executive Director), Dennis D’Amico (NWAC’s current Forecast Director), and Simon Trautman (now the Director of the National Avalanche Center), laid the groundwork for NWAC’s transition and expansion, driven by a surge in backcountry use and rapid technological advancements. In 2013, NWAC expanded its operational capacity by establishing a field-based professional observer program with six members, including Dallas Glass, NWAC’s current Forecast Deputy Director. This expansion continued, with NWAC steadily increasing its number of field and community-based avalanche forecasters from its historical baseline of three meteorologists to eleven total forecasters by 2017, strategically positioned across various key regions from Bellingham to Hood River and Seattle to Leavenworth.
NWAC Today: A Hub of Innovation and Impact
Presently, the Northwest Avalanche Center operates with a robust team comprising:
- 11 Professional Avalanche Forecasters: Dedicated individuals responsible for analyzing snowpack conditions and issuing daily forecasts.
- 2 Meteorologists: Providing crucial atmospheric data and weather modeling.
- 1 Deputy Director of Forecasting: Overseeing forecasting operations and strategy.
- 1 Executive Director: Leading the overall management and strategic direction of the center.
- 1 Program Manager: Ensuring the smooth execution of various NWAC initiatives.
- Numerous Volunteers: Contributing invaluable support to education and outreach efforts.
Together, this dedicated team has built an impressive infrastructure and operational framework:
- Over 100 Remote Weather Stations: Providing real-time meteorological data from critical mountain locations.
- A Comprehensive Avalanche Forecasting Program: Issuing daily forecasts across multiple forecast zones.
- Extensive Public Education Programs: Reaching thousands of backcountry users annually through courses, workshops, and outreach events.
- A Robust Data Management System: Collecting and analyzing decades of snowpack and weather data.
This sustained success has been made possible through the unwavering support of long-standing partners, including:
- U.S. Forest Service: A foundational partner providing operational and logistical support.
- National Weather Service: A key collaborator in data sharing and forecasting integration.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Essential for highway avalanche mitigation and public safety advisories.
- National Park Service: Crucial for forecasting within park boundaries and supporting research.
- Forests, Parks, and Recreation Agencies: Supporting forecasting and outreach in various jurisdictions.
- Ski Areas and Local Businesses: Providing essential data, logistical support, and community engagement.
- Friends of NWAC: A vital nonprofit supporting fundraising, education, and advocacy.
Charting the Future: Continued Innovation and Enduring Mission
From the ingenious, on-the-spot repairs of early field equipment to the sophisticated data modeling and smartphone accessibility of today, NWAC has consistently embraced innovation. The organization has transformed from a two-person operation struggling to generate basic forecasts to a comprehensive center that now issues over 1,300 forecasts annually. These forecasts inform thousands of backcountry users, and the center has garnered millions of dollars in community support over its history. As an increasing number of individuals explore the vast expanses of the backcountry, NWAC’s mission to provide critical safety information remains more vital than ever.
NWAC stands as a reflection of the Pacific Northwest’s inherent qualities: resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep-seated commitment to the well-being of its community. As the center commemorates its 50th anniversary, it honors the pioneers who laid its foundation, the partners who have sustained its operations, and the public whose trust and engagement have been instrumental to its enduring success.
Looking ahead to the next fifty years, NWAC remains steadfast in its core belief that informed recreation is intrinsically linked to lives saved. Whether an individual is ascending a quiet ridge for backcountry skiing, navigating a snow-laden highway, or actively teaching others about avalanche safety, they are an integral part of NWAC’s ongoing narrative. The center takes immense pride in its rich history, expresses profound gratitude for the unwavering support it has received, and eagerly anticipates the challenges and opportunities that the next half-century will bring.
