The 2025-26 season marks a momentous occasion for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) as it commemorates 50 years of dedicated service to the Pacific Northwest. This significant milestone is a testament to NWAC’s enduring commitment to providing science-based avalanche forecasting, fostering community-centered education, and upholding an unwavering dedication to public safety. What began as a modest endeavor by a small group of passionate scientists at the University of Washington has blossomed into a nationally recognized and highly respected avalanche forecasting organization. This is the story of NWAC: a narrative woven from the vision of its founders, the formidable challenges they overcame, and the ingenuity that propelled it to become a cornerstone of mountain safety in the region.
The Genesis of a Critical Need: Avalanche Forecasting in the 1970s
The 1970s witnessed a dramatic surge in winter recreational activities across the western United States, a trend that unfortunately correlated with a concerning rise in avalanche fatalities. The average number of avalanche-related deaths annually escalated from a mere seven to over twenty. While avalanche control programs and safety education initiatives were expanding, the increasing public exposure to mountainous terrain during winter months amplified the inherent risks.
In response to this growing threat, proactive measures began to emerge. Paul Frankenstein of the Forest Service’s Snoqualmie National Forest and Frank "Bud" Reanier of the National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle took initial steps by issuing rudimentary avalanche warnings during periods of exceptionally hazardous conditions. However, a formal, systematic forecasting system was conspicuously absent. The landscape of avalanche safety in the Pacific Northwest began to shift in the early 1970s when Ken White of the Forest Service established the region’s first avalanche hotline, 442-SNOW. This early communication channel, primarily serving the Snoqualmie Pass area, represented a crucial early step towards the comprehensive, real-time forecasting network that NWAC provides today.
The Birth of NWAC: A Convergence of Science and Urgency
The mid-1970s marked a pivotal period, characterized by a burgeoning collaboration between key governmental and academic institutions. The Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service joined forces, with researchers from the University of Washington playing a central role. Among these were the esteemed snow scientist Ed LaChapelle and his graduate students, Mark Moore and Rich Marriott.
Their primary objective was to develop a practical avalanche forecasting program that could be effectively utilized in highway operations. This was particularly critical for critical transportation arteries like Interstate 90 and the newly opened North Cascades Highway, routes that were both vital for regional connectivity and notoriously susceptible to the destructive power of avalanches.
December 6, 1975: NWAC Issues Its Inaugural Forecast
What commenced as a temporary research initiative rapidly transformed into a fully operational forecasting program. On December 6, 1975, NWAC officially issued its first backcountry avalanche forecast, positioning itself as the second such program in the United States, following Colorado’s Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), which began its operations in 1973.
Mark Moore and Rich Marriott, still graduate students at the time, formed the core of this groundbreaking effort. Collaborating closely with Ed LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, they were instrumental in issuing forecasts, constructing essential instrumentation, and fostering vital engagement with local and federal agencies.
The Formative Years: NWAC Takes Shape in the Late 1970s and 1980s
By 1978, NWAC entered a new phase of formalization through a significant cooperative agreement. This pact involved the Forest Service, the National Weather Service, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the National Park Service. Roland "Em" Emetaz, a strong advocate within the Forest Service, played a crucial role in securing the necessary support to establish NWAC on a firm footing. This agreement facilitated cost-sharing and officially placed the program’s administration under the purview of the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office.
During these formative years, NWAC operated with a lean but dedicated team. The original NWAC team in the 1970s and 1980s included pioneers such as Mark Moore and Rich Marriott, who were the driving force behind the program’s inception and early development. Their relentless dedication laid the groundwork for the center’s future success.
Mark Moore, who steered NWAC throughout his entire career, beginning in 1975 and retiring in 2012, became synonymous with the center’s growth and evolution. He was a tireless champion for the organization, shaping it into the respected entity it is today. Rich Marriott, after his impactful tenure at NWAC, embarked on a highly successful career in broadcast meteorology, becoming a familiar face to viewers in the Puget Sound region through his over three decades of service as a meteorologist for KING 5 News.
Other forecasters made significant contributions during these early decades. Pam Speers Hays and Sue Ferguson, among others, left their indelible mark on NWAC through their multi-year commitments. Sue Ferguson, in particular, was a towering figure in the snow science community. She held 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 Ed LaChapelle. Sue served as the Director of the Utah Avalanche Center from 1984 to 1986 and subsequently as an avalanche meteorologist at NWAC from 1986 to 1992. Her contributions extended beyond forecasting; she published instructional books on glaciers and avalanches, played a key role in founding The Avalanche Review, and was instrumental in establishing the American Avalanche Association. Her passing in 2005 was a profound loss to the snow science and avalanche communities. Mark Moore eloquently paid tribute to her in April 2006, highlighting her quick learning, precocious nature, and remarkable ability to gain a broad and reasoned perspective on complex tasks.
While not a forecaster, the contributions of Phil Taylor to NWAC’s success and longevity cannot be overstated. A local Seattle engineer who first connected with Mark and Rich at the University of Washington in the 1970s, Phil dedicated himself to developing, testing, and building numerous wind instruments, snowboards, and other crucial mountain weather measuring equipment that NWAC continues to utilize today. His custom-designed wind instruments are deployed not only across the Cascade Range but also on remote peaks enduring the harshest weather. Phil invested countless hours, both in the field with NWAC and other snow professionals, on the phone, and in his basement workshop, meticulously crafting equipment engineered to withstand the rigorous conditions of the Pacific Northwest. Andy Harrington, a current NWAC Avalanche Forecaster, acknowledged Phil’s immense, often overlooked, contributions in a recent tribute, stating that Phil worked closely with industry pioneers to create instrumentation that significantly enhances their ability to perform their jobs and understand the factors contributing to avalanches.
Innovation on a Shoestring Budget
In its nascent stages, NWAC operated with limited resources, necessitating a high degree of ingenuity and resourcefulness from its staff. Without access to modern budgets or sophisticated tools, early NWAC personnel frequently resorted to building and repairing their own weather instruments. Mark Moore recalled the challenges of establishing communication links, noting, "We had to lease a [phone] line between Seattle and Stevens Pass. We had our own line for feeding information all the time," supplemented by a rudimentary modem capable of decoding weather data transmitted via chairlift and phone lines to the NWAC office. When equipment inevitably failed, the solutions were often as creative as the challenges themselves, a testament to the team’s "chewing gum and beer cans" approach to problem-solving.
Gaining Credibility with the National 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 hurdles. Rich Marriott humorously recounted the early days, stating, "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 delivery of high-quality mountain observations and the steady expansion of NWAC’s data network gradually proved their indispensable value. Even the most skeptical NWS forecasters came to recognize the program’s importance. A crucial element in fostering this acceptance was the mentorship and advocacy of Bud Reanier, then Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NWS Seattle office, who recognized the program’s potential and championed its integration into the broader forecasting community.
Expansion and Professionalization: The 1990s and 2000s
For many years, NWAC operated with a core team of just three forecasters, diligently refining their forecasting methodologies and systematically expanding 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 founded to address the growing public education and fundraising needs of the center. Eventually, this community-driven nonprofit merged with the Forest Service’s NWAC operations, creating a more unified and robust structure.
Alongside Mark Moore, two forecasters formed the backbone of NWAC for nearly three decades: 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, whether at the forecast desk or navigating treacherous mountain terrain, played a leading role in advancing NWAC’s weather station program in the later stages of his career. His mentorship extended well beyond his retirement, positively influencing a new generation of NWAC professionals. Kenny Kramer assumed the role of NWAC’s Forecast Director in 2013. Renowned for his exceptional weather and avalanche forecasting skills, Kenny harbored a deep affection for beach locales and surfing, a passion that belied his professional expertise. Kenny, alongside Scott Schell, NWAC’s Non-Profit Executive Director, Dennis D’Amico, NWAC’s current Forecast Director, and Simon Trautman, who now leads the National Avalanche Center, were instrumental in laying the groundwork for NWAC’s transition and expansion during the 2010s, a period marked by a significant surge in backcountry use and rapid technological advancements.
In 2013, NWAC saw further expansion with the introduction of a field-based professional observer program, comprising six individuals, including Dallas Glass, NWAC’s current Forecast Deputy Director. The center then embarked on a steady period of growth, almost yearly, adding field and community-based avalanche forecasters. This expansion saw the team grow from its historical baseline of three meteorologists to a total of eleven forecasters, strategically positioned across various locations from Bellingham to Hood River and Seattle to Leavenworth.
NWAC Today: A Hub of Innovation and Impact
Currently, NWAC operates with a robust team of eleven dedicated forecasters, including a Forecast Director, a Forecast Deputy Director, and field forecasters strategically located throughout the region. The center also benefits from the expertise of an Executive Director and administrative support staff. This collaborative structure enables NWAC to produce over 1,300 forecasts annually, a significant increase from its early days.
Over its history, NWAC has been instrumental in developing and deploying an extensive network of weather stations, now numbering over 150, providing critical real-time data from remote mountain environments. This data is disseminated through a comprehensive website, a dedicated mobile application, and social media channels, ensuring accessibility for backcountry enthusiasts. Furthermore, NWAC plays a vital role in public education, conducting numerous avalanche awareness and safety courses that have reached thousands of individuals, significantly enhancing safety in the backcountry.
The center’s success and continued operation are underpinned by strong support from long-standing partners. These include the U.S. Forest Service, the National Weather Service, WSDOT, the National Park Service, and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Additional support comes from the private sector, including ski resorts and outdoor industry partners, alongside crucial funding from individual donors and grants.
Looking Towards the Future
From ingenious field repairs using rudimentary materials to sophisticated high-tech modeling and accessible smartphone forecasts, NWAC has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation. The journey from two ambitious graduate students crafting an avalanche forecast to a sophisticated center issuing over 1,300 forecasts annually, educating thousands of backcountry users, and garnering millions of dollars in community support over the decades is a remarkable testament to its enduring mission. As an increasing number of individuals venture into the backcountry, NWAC’s role in providing vital safety information becomes ever more critical.
NWAC 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 the center celebrates its 50th anniversary, it honors the visionary individuals who laid its foundation, the dedicated partners who have sustained its operations, and the public who have embraced its critical safety information.
Looking ahead to the next fifty years, NWAC remains steadfast in its core belief: that informed recreation saves lives. Whether individuals are ascending a quiet ridge, navigating a snow-covered highway, or actively teaching avalanche safety, they are an integral part of NWAC’s ongoing narrative. The center expresses profound pride in its past achievements, deep gratitude for the community’s unwavering support, and enthusiastic anticipation for the future.
