The 2025-26 winter season marks a significant anniversary 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-centered education, and upholding an unwavering commitment to public safety in mountainous regions. What began as a modest endeavor by a few dedicated scientists at the University of Washington has blossomed into a nationally recognized and respected institution. This is the story of NWAC: a narrative of visionary pioneers, formidable challenges, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge that has established it as a trusted authority in mountain weather and avalanche forecasting.
The Genesis of a Need: Rising Avalanche Dangers in the Mid-20th Century
The burgeoning popularity of winter recreational activities across the western United States in the 1970s coincided with a stark increase in avalanche fatalities. Annual deaths, which had averaged a mere seven, tragically climbed to over twenty. This alarming trend highlighted a critical gap in public safety information. While avalanche control programs and safety education initiatives saw expansion, the ever-increasing human presence in the backcountry continued to expose individuals to inherent risks.
In response to this growing concern, Paul Frankenstein of the Forest Service’s Snoqualmie National Forest and Frank "Bud" Reanier of the National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle began issuing ad-hoc avalanche warnings during periods of extreme danger. However, a formal, systematic forecasting system remained elusive. A pivotal step toward a more structured approach was taken in the early 1970s by Ken White, also with the Forest Service, who launched the Pacific Northwest’s first avalanche hotline. Known by its memorable number, 442-SNOW, this early service primarily covered the Snoqualmie Pass area, laying crucial groundwork for the comprehensive forecasting network that is relied upon today.
Forging a Path: The Birth of NWAC and the Union of Science and Urgency
The mid-1970s witnessed the initiation of a vital collaboration between the Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service. Central to this initiative were researchers from the University of Washington, most notably the esteemed snow scientist Ed LaChapelle, alongside his promising graduate students, Mark Moore and Rich Marriott.
Their primary objective was to develop a practical avalanche forecasting program, specifically tailored for highway operations. The focus was on critical transportation corridors such as Interstate 90 and the newly opened North Cascades Highway, both of which were acutely vulnerable to the destructive power of avalanches. This mission underscored the urgent need for a system that could provide timely and accurate assessments of avalanche risk to protect both travelers and local communities.
A Landmark Moment: December 6, 1975, and the First NWAC Forecast
What commenced as a temporary research project soon coalesced into a fully operational program. On December 6, 1975, the Northwest Avalanche Center issued its inaugural official backcountry avalanche forecast. This achievement positioned NWAC as the second such program in the United States, following closely behind Colorado’s Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), which began operations in 1973.
The foundational efforts of Rich Marriott and Mark Moore, still graduate students at the time, were instrumental in this formative period. Working in close partnership with Ed LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, they were responsible for issuing forecasts, developing essential instrumentation, and cultivating relationships with local and federal agencies. Their dedication and scientific rigor were the bedrock upon which NWAC’s future success would be built.
Structuring a Foundation: NWAC in the Late 1970s and 1980s
The year 1978 marked a significant evolution for NWAC with the establishment of a formal cooperative agreement. This pact brought together the Forest Service, the National Weather Service, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the National Park Service. A key advocate during this crucial phase was Roland "Em" Emetaz, whose unwavering support within the Forest Service was instrumental in securing the necessary resources and formalizing NWAC’s administrative structure under the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office.
In its nascent years, NWAC operated with a lean but dedicated team and limited resources. Early forecasting efforts relied heavily on manual data collection and rudimentary communication methods. The team faced the daunting task of covering vast mountainous terrains with minimal infrastructure.
The original NWAC team, active through the 1970s and 1980s, comprised a core group of passionate individuals. Among them were Mark Moore, whose career with NWAC spanned from its founding in 1975 until his retirement in 2012, becoming a steadfast champion for the center’s mission. Rich Marriott, after contributing significantly to NWAC’s early development, embarked on a distinguished career in broadcast meteorology, becoming a familiar face to viewers across the Puget Sound region for over three decades. Pam Speers Hays and Sue Ferguson also made significant contributions during this period, leaving their indelible marks on the organization.
Sue Ferguson was a particularly influential figure. Holding a BS in Physics from the University of Massachusetts and a PhD in Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, she was mentored by Ed LaChapelle. Her expertise extended beyond NWAC; she served as the Director of the Utah Avalanche Center from 1984 to 1986 and was an avalanche meteorologist at NWAC from 1986 to 1992. Ferguson’s academic contributions to snow science were substantial, including instructional books on glaciers and avalanches, and she played a crucial role in founding The Avalanche Review and the American Avalanche Association. Her tragic passing in 2005 was a profound loss to the snow and fire science communities. Mark Moore eloquently described her arrival at NWAC as a period where 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."
The success and longevity of NWAC also owe a significant debt to Phil Taylor, a local Seattle engineer. Taylor, who first connected with Mark and Rich at the University of Washington in the 1970s, was instrumental in designing, fabricating, and refining many of the wind instruments, snow boards, and other crucial mountain weather monitoring equipment that NWAC continues to utilize today. His instruments are deployed not only throughout the Cascades but also on remote peaks facing the harshest weather conditions. Taylor dedicated countless hours, collaborating with NWAC staff and other snow professionals, to develop equipment engineered to withstand the challenging Pacific Northwest environment. Andy Harrington, a current NWAC Avalanche Forecaster, 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."
Ingenuity Under Duress: Innovation on a Shoestring Budget
In the early days, operating without the benefit of modern budgets or advanced technological tools, NWAC staff often resorted to creative solutions to maintain their forecasting and data collection efforts. They were pioneers, relying on ingenuity and resourcefulness to overcome limitations.
"We had to lease a [phone] line between Seattle and Stevens Pass," Mark Moore recalled. "We had our own line for feeding information all the time," supplemented by a rudimentary modem to decode weather data transmitted via chairlift and telephone lines directly to the NWAC office. When equipment inevitably malfunctioned—a common occurrence given the harsh mountain environment—the repair solutions were equally ingenious:
- Repurposed materials: Duct tape and even discarded chewing gum were sometimes employed for quick fixes on sensitive instruments.
- DIY solutions: Forecasters often built or modified existing equipment in basements and workshops to meet specific needs, demonstrating a remarkable level of self-sufficiency.
- Collaborative problem-solving: The small team frequently brainstormed and shared knowledge to overcome technical challenges, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
Bridging the Divide: Gaining Acceptance within the Weather Service
The co-location of NWAC with the Seattle National Weather Service office in 1978 was a significant step, though not without its initial challenges. "The forecasters didn’t like us," Rich Marriott humorously recalled, describing their appearance as "looking 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 delivery of high-quality mountain observations and the steady expansion of NWAC’s data network gradually proved invaluable. Even the most skeptical NWS forecasters began to recognize the program’s merit. A critical factor in this acceptance was the mentorship and belief of Bud Reanier, then Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge at NWS Seattle. Reanier understood the program’s potential and actively facilitated NWAC’s integration into the broader forecasting community.
Mark Moore, a central figure in NWAC’s early years, was often pictured in the NWS office amidst a flurry of maps, forecasts, and weather data, reflecting the intense operational environment of the late 1970s. This visual testament to his dedication underscores the commitment required to build such a vital service from the ground up.
Maturation and Expansion: The 1990s and 2000s
For several decades, NWAC operated with a core team of three forecasters. During this period, they diligently refined their forecasting methodologies and systematically expanded their network of mountain weather stations, laying the groundwork for future growth.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1999 with the establishment of the nonprofit organization, Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. This initiative was launched to bolster the center’s growing needs for public education and fundraising. This community-driven nonprofit would eventually merge with the Forest Service’s NWAC operations, creating a more unified and robust organizational structure.
Beyond Mark Moore, two other 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 steady demeanor was a constant, whether he was at the forecast desk or undertaking expeditions around the globe. He took a leading role in NWAC’s weather station program in the latter stages of his tenure, providing invaluable mentorship to newer generations of forecasters that extended well beyond his retirement. Kenny Kramer ascended to the role of NWAC’s Forecast Director in 2013. While renowned for his exceptional forecasting abilities, Kramer harbored a deep affection for coastal locales and surfing. Together with Scott Schell, NWAC’s Non-Profit Executive Director, Dennis D’Amico, the current Forecast Director, and Simon Trautman, who now leads the National Avalanche Center, Kramer played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for NWAC’s transition and expansion during the 2010s, a period marked by a surge in backcountry use and rapid technological advancements.
In 2013, NWAC underwent significant expansion 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, starting in 2017, witnessed a consistent and substantial growth in NWAC’s field and community-based avalanche forecasting capabilities. The team expanded from its historical baseline of three meteorologists to a total of eleven forecasters, strategically positioned across key regions from Bellingham to Hood River and from Seattle to Leavenworth.
The Modern NWAC: A Hub of Innovation and Impact
Today, the Northwest Avalanche Center operates with a significantly expanded and highly skilled team:
- 11 Forecasters: A dedicated cadre of experts providing daily avalanche forecasts.
- 3 Meteorologists: Essential for understanding and predicting the complex weather patterns that influence avalanche conditions.
- 2 Deputy Directors: Providing crucial leadership and operational oversight.
- 1 Executive Director: Guiding the organization’s strategic direction and sustainability.
Collectively, NWAC has achieved substantial milestones:
- Over 1,300 Forecasts Annually: Providing critical real-time safety information across extensive operational zones.
- Extensive Weather Station Network: Maintaining and expanding a network of over 100 automated weather stations, offering invaluable data for forecasting and research.
- Thousands Educated Annually: Conducting vital avalanche awareness and safety courses for backcountry users, fostering a culture of responsible recreation.
- Millions in Community Support: Garnering significant financial and volunteer contributions from a supportive public, underscoring the value placed on NWAC’s services.
NWAC’s sustained success is a testament to the unwavering support from its long-standing partners, including:
- U.S. Forest Service: A foundational partner providing critical infrastructure and operational support.
- National Weather Service: Essential for meteorological expertise and data integration.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Crucial for highway avalanche mitigation and public safety.
- National Park Service: Partnering in forecasting and education within park boundaries.
- Bureau of Land Management: Contributing to safety and forecasting efforts on public lands.
- State of Washington Recreation & Conservation Office: Supporting initiatives that promote outdoor recreation safety.
- Local Ski Patrols and Avalanche Organizations: Collaborative efforts in data sharing and community outreach.
Charting the Future: A Continuing Commitment to Safety
From the ingenious, ad-hoc repairs of early pioneers to the sophisticated, high-tech modeling and widespread smartphone accessibility of today, NWAC has consistently demonstrated an unyielding commitment to innovation. The journey from two young scientists painstakingly piecing together an avalanche forecast to a fully operational center issuing over 1,300 forecasts annually, educating thousands of backcountry users, and benefiting from millions of dollars in community support over the years, highlights a remarkable trajectory. As the number of individuals venturing into the backcountry continues to grow, NWAC’s mission to provide life-saving information remains more critical than ever.
The Northwest Avalanche Center stands as a reflection of the Pacific Northwest community itself—resilient, resourceful, and deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its members. As we commemorate 50 years of operation, we pay tribute to the individuals who laid its foundations, the partners who have sustained its growth, and the public that has wholeheartedly embraced its vital services.
Looking ahead to the next fifty years, NWAC remains steadfast in its core belief: informed recreation saves lives. Whether an individual is ascending a quiet ridge, navigating a snow-laden highway, or instructing others in avalanche safety, they are an integral part of NWAC’s ongoing narrative. We are immensely proud of our past, deeply grateful for your continued support, and enthusiastically anticipate the next half-century of service. The image of Mark Moore skiing at Crystal Mountain in 1980, exuding the sheer joy of a moment earned through dedication and expertise, serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact and enduring spirit that defines NWAC’s legacy.
