The 2025-26 winter season marks a half-century of dedicated service by the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), an organization that has evolved from a modest university initiative into a nationally recognized leader in avalanche forecasting and public safety for the Pacific Northwest. For fifty years, NWAC has provided science-based avalanche forecasts, fostered community education, and maintained an unwavering commitment to the safety of those venturing into its formidable mountain terrain. This extensive history chronicles the journey of NWAC, highlighting the foresight of its founders, the significant challenges overcome, and the foundational elements that have cemented its status as a trusted authority in mountain weather and avalanche advisories.
The Genesis of Avalanche Awareness: A Growing Need in the 1970s
The mid-20th century witnessed a dramatic surge in winter recreation across the western United States. As more individuals embraced activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, the incidence of avalanche fatalities escalated significantly. Annual avalanche deaths, which had hovered around seven in previous decades, climbed to over twenty by the 1970s. While avalanche control programs and safety education initiatives began to expand, the sheer increase in public exposure to avalanche-prone areas outpaced these efforts, creating a critical gap in public safety information.
In response to this escalating concern, early efforts to warn the public of imminent dangers began. Paul Frankenstein of the U.S. Forest Service, stationed in the Snoqualmie National Forest, and Frank "Bud" Reanier of the National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle, initiated rudimentary avalanche warnings during periods of extreme hazard. However, these were ad hoc measures, lacking a systematic forecasting framework. A pivotal step toward a more formalized system emerged in the early 1970s when Ken White, also with the Forest Service, established the region’s first avalanche hotline: 442-SNOW. This groundbreaking service, initially focused on the Snoqualmie Pass area, laid the groundwork for the comprehensive, real-time forecasting network that NWAC operates today.
The Birth of NWAC: Marrying Science with Critical Need
The mid-1970s saw the initiation of a crucial collaboration that would ultimately give rise to NWAC. This partnership brought together the Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service. Central to this endeavor were researchers from the University of Washington, most notably the esteemed snow scientist Ed LaChapelle, alongside his graduate students Mark Moore and Rich Marriott.
Their primary objective was to develop a practical avalanche forecasting program tailored for highway operations, with a particular focus on Interstate 90 and the recently opened North Cascades Highway. These routes served as vital arteries for regional transportation, yet they were consistently vulnerable to the destructive power of avalanches, posing a significant threat to motorists and infrastructure. The success of such a program was intrinsically linked to understanding snowpack dynamics and predicting avalanche behavior under diverse meteorological conditions.
December 6, 1975: The Inaugural NWAC Forecast
What commenced as a temporary research initiative quickly transitioned into a fully operational program. 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), which began operations in 1973. Rich Marriott and Mark Moore, still graduate students at the time, formed the core of this pioneering effort. Collaborating closely with Ed LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, they were instrumental in developing forecasting methodologies, constructing essential instrumentation, and forging vital connections with local and federal agencies. This early period was characterized by innovation born out of necessity, with researchers often relying on ingenuity and limited resources to gather critical data.
NWAC Takes Shape: The Formative Years of the Late 1970s and 1980s
By 1978, NWAC entered a significant new phase with the establishment of a formal cooperative agreement. This agreement 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 securing this foundational support for NWAC within the Forest Service was Roland "Em" Emetaz, whose advocacy proved instrumental. This formalized structure facilitated cost-sharing and 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 the visionary Mark Moore, who would guide the center for his entire career, and Rich Marriott, whose expertise in snow science was foundational. Pam Speers Hays and Sue Ferguson also made significant contributions during this period.
Mark Moore’s tenure, beginning in 1975 and concluding with his retirement in 2012, was marked by his steadfast championship of the center, shaping it into the vital organization it is today. Rich Marriott, after his impactful role at NWAC, embarked on a successful career in broadcast meteorology, becoming a familiar face to viewers in the Puget Sound region for over three decades as a meteorologist for KING 5 News.
Sue Ferguson, a highly influential figure, brought a wealth of academic and practical experience to NWAC. Holding a BS in physics from the University of Massachusetts and a PhD 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 before joining NWAC as an avalanche meteorologist from 1986 to 1992. Her academic contributions to snow science were substantial, including the publication of instructional books on glaciers and avalanches, and she played a critical role in founding The Avalanche Review and the American Avalanche Association. Her tragic passing from cancer in 2005 was deeply felt. Mark Moore eulogized her in The Avalanche Review, noting her "precocious and a quick learner" with a "great ability to gain a broad and reasoned perspective on whatever task she took upon herself to discover."
While not a forecaster, Phil Taylor’s contributions were indispensable to NWAC’s longevity and effectiveness. An engineer from the Seattle area who met Mark and Rich at the University of Washington in the 1970s, Phil designed, built, and tested many of the wind instruments, snowboards, and other mountain weather measurement devices that NWAC continues to utilize. His instruments are deployed not only across the Cascades but also on remote peaks facing extreme weather conditions. Phil dedicated countless hours, collaborating with NWAC staff and other snow professionals, to develop equipment robust enough to withstand the harsh Pacific Northwest environment. Andy Harrington, a current NWAC Avalanche Forecaster, recognized Phil’s understated yet profound impact, stating, "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."
Innovation on a Shoestring Budget
In its nascent years, NWAC operated under significant budgetary constraints, necessitating a high degree of resourcefulness and innovation. Staff members frequently resorted to ingenious, often makeshift, solutions to maintain essential operations. Mark Moore recalled the challenge of securing communication lines, stating, "We had to lease a [phone] line between Seattle and Stevens Pass. We had our own line for feeding information all the time." This dedicated line, coupled with a rudimentary modem, allowed for the decoding of weather data transmitted via chairlift and phone lines directly to the NWAC office. When equipment inevitably malfunctioned, the responses were equally creative, reflecting the "chewing gum and beer cans" spirit of early improvisation.
Winning Over the National Weather Service
The co-location of NWAC with the Seattle National Weather Service office in 1978 initially presented some friction. 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 delivery of high-quality mountain observations and the expansion of NWAC’s data network gradually earned the respect of the NWS forecasters. The program’s growing value became undeniable. A significant factor in this acceptance was the mentorship and support of Bud Reanier, then Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NWS Seattle, who recognized the program’s potential and facilitated its integration into the broader forecasting community.
Expansion and Professionalization: The 1990s and 2000s
For many years, NWAC maintained a core team of just three forecasters. During this period, they diligently refined forecasting techniques and systematically expanded their network of mountain weather stations. A crucial 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 public education initiatives and fundraising efforts. Eventually, this community-driven nonprofit merged with the Forest Service’s NWAC operations, creating a unified organizational structure.
Alongside Mark Moore, two other forecasters became pillars of NWAC for nearly three decades: Kenny Kramer (1989-2019) and Garth Ferber (1993-2016). Garth’s calm and steady presence was a hallmark of his work, whether he was behind the forecast desk or undertaking challenging expeditions. He played a leading role in developing NWAC’s weather station program during his tenure, extending his mentorship to a new generation of forecasters long after his retirement. Kenny Kramer, known for his forecasting acumen, became NWAC’s Forecast Director in 2013. Despite his deep engagement with mountain weather, his true passion lay in coastal activities and surfing. Kenny, along with 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, were instrumental in guiding NWAC through a period of significant transition and expansion in the 2010s, a decade marked by a surge in backcountry use and rapid technological advancements.
In 2013, NWAC further expanded its operational capacity by introducing a field-based professional observer program comprising six individuals, including Dallas Glass, NWAC’s current Forecast Deputy Director. The subsequent years, beginning in 2017, saw a consistent and substantial growth in NWAC’s forecasting team. The number of field and community-based avalanche forecasters grew steadily, increasing from its historical baseline of three meteorologists to a total of eleven, with staff strategically positioned 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 full-time avalanche forecasters and meteorologists, supported by a dedicated administrative staff and a network of trained volunteer observers. This comprehensive team is responsible for disseminating critical safety information across a vast operational area encompassing over 250,000 square miles of mountainous terrain in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
The center has cultivated a sophisticated infrastructure, including over 150 automated weather stations strategically deployed across the region. These stations provide real-time data on temperature, precipitation, wind, and snowpack conditions, forming the backbone of NWAC’s forecasting models. Furthermore, NWAC produces more than 1,300 avalanche forecasts annually, reaching a diverse audience of backcountry enthusiasts, land managers, and transportation officials.
NWAC’s impact extends far beyond forecasting. The organization is a leader in avalanche education, offering a wide array of courses and workshops that train thousands of individuals each year in avalanche awareness, rescue techniques, and safe travel practices. This educational outreach is crucial for empowering the public to make informed decisions in avalanche terrain.
The center’s success and sustainability are deeply rooted in the strong partnerships it has forged over the decades. Key supporting partners include the U.S. Forest Service, the National Weather Service, WSDOT, the National Park Service, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and numerous ski resorts and local organizations. These collaborations ensure the seamless exchange of data, resources, and expertise, amplifying NWAC’s reach and effectiveness.
Looking Towards the Future
The journey of NWAC, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a vital public safety organization, is a testament to its adaptability and enduring commitment to innovation. The transition from rudimentary field repairs to sophisticated high-tech modeling and readily accessible smartphone forecasts underscores this continuous evolution. What began with two young scientists striving to provide basic avalanche forecasts has blossomed into a center that issues over 1,300 forecasts annually, educates thousands of backcountry users, and has garnered millions of dollars in community support over its history. As the number of individuals venturing into the backcountry continues to rise, NWAC’s mission remains more critical than ever.
NWAC embodies the spirit of the Pacific Northwest: resilient, resourceful, and deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its community. As the center celebrates its 50th anniversary, it honors the visionary individuals who laid its foundation, the steadfast partners who have sustained its operations, and the public whose trust and engagement have been paramount. 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 imparting avalanche safety knowledge to others, they are intrinsically part of NWAC’s ongoing narrative. The center is proud of its rich history, deeply grateful for the ongoing support it receives, and enthusiastically anticipates the future challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
