The 2025-26 winter season marks a significant milestone for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), celebrating half a century of dedicated service to the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception, NWAC has been at the forefront of providing science-based avalanche forecasting, fostering community engagement in avalanche safety education, and upholding an unwavering commitment to public safety in mountainous terrain. What began as a modest initiative driven by a few dedicated scientists at the University of Washington has blossomed into a nationally recognized authority in avalanche forecasting and mountain weather analysis. This is the narrative of NWAC, charting its evolution from a nascent concept, born from a confluence of visionary individuals, formidable challenges, and resourcefulness, to becoming one of the most trusted institutions in mountain safety.
The Genesis of Avalanche Awareness: A Growing Need in the 1970s
The latter half of the 20th century witnessed a burgeoning interest in winter recreational activities across the western United States. This surge in popularity, however, brought with it a tragic increase in avalanche-related fatalities. Between the 1960s and 1970s, the average number of avalanche deaths per year in the western U.S. more than doubled, rising from approximately seven to over twenty. While avalanche control programs and safety education initiatives began to expand, the increasing exposure of the public to avalanche-prone areas meant that the risk remained substantial.
In response to this escalating concern, early efforts to warn the public of imminent danger began. Paul Frankenstein of the Forest Service’s Snoqualmie National Forest and Frank "Bud" Reanier of the National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle took it upon themselves to issue rudimentary avalanche warnings during periods of heightened risk. However, a formal, structured forecasting system was notably absent. This void began to be addressed in the early 1970s when Ken White, also with the Forest Service, established the region’s first avalanche hotline, designated as "442-SNOW." This pioneering service, initially focused on the Snoqualmie Pass area, represented a crucial step towards the comprehensive, real-time forecasting network that NWAC would eventually develop.
The Birth of NWAC: Bridging Science and Urgent Need
The mid-1970s saw the initiation of a critical collaboration between several key institutions: the Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service. At the core of this collaborative effort were researchers from the University of Washington, most notably the distinguished snow scientist Dr. Ed LaChapelle, alongside his promising graduate students Mark Moore and Rich Marriott.
Their primary objective was to devise and implement a practical avalanche forecasting program. This program was envisioned to support essential highway operations, particularly along the vital Interstate 90 corridor and the recently opened North Cascades Highway. These routes served as crucial arteries for regional transportation, but their passage through mountainous terrain rendered them perpetually vulnerable to the destructive force of avalanches.
December 6, 1975: The Inaugural NWAC Forecast
What commenced as a temporary research endeavor soon evolved into a fully operational entity. On December 6, 1975, NWAC officially issued its inaugural backcountry avalanche forecast, establishing itself as the second such program in the United States, following Colorado’s Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), which had begun operations in 1973. Rich Marriott and Mark Moore, still pursuing their graduate studies, formed the operational nucleus of this groundbreaking initiative. Collaborating closely with Dr. LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, they were instrumental in developing forecasting methodologies, constructing essential instrumentation, and fostering crucial relationships with local and federal agencies.
NWAC Takes Shape: The Late 1970s and 1980s
The late 1970s marked a period of formalization and expansion for NWAC. In 1978, the center entered a new phase through a formal cooperative agreement involving 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 within the Forest Service, was pivotal in securing the organizational support necessary for NWAC to gain traction. This agreement facilitated cost-sharing and established the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office as the formal administrative body for the program.
In these formative years, NWAC operated with a lean but dedicated team and limited resources. The original NWAC team during the 1970s and 1980s included Mark Moore, Rich Marriott, and Sue Ferguson. Mark Moore would become a cornerstone of NWAC, guiding the organization throughout his entire career, from its inception in 1975 until his retirement in 2012. He was a tireless champion for the center, shaping it into the respected institution it is today. Rich Marriott, after his impactful tenure at NWAC, transitioned to a successful career in broadcast meteorology, becoming a familiar face on KING 5 News in the Puget Sound area for over three decades. Sue Ferguson, a brilliant geophysicist, served as an avalanche meteorologist at NWAC from 1986 to 1992, after a distinguished period as Director of the Utah Avalanche Center. Her academic contributions to snow science, instructional books, and her instrumental role in founding The Avalanche Review and the American Avalanche Association left an indelible mark on the field. Tragically, Sue passed away in 2005, but her legacy continues to influence avalanche safety professionals.
Beyond the core forecasting team, the contributions of Phil Taylor, a local Seattle engineer, were indispensable. Taylor, who first connected with Moore and Marriott at the University of Washington in the 1970s, dedicated himself to designing, testing, and fabricating essential weather-measuring equipment for NWAC. This included specialized wind instruments and snow boards, many of which remain in use today and have been deployed on remote peaks across the Cascades and beyond. Taylor’s ingenuity and commitment, often working in his basement workshop, were crucial in developing equipment resilient enough to withstand the harsh Pacific Northwest mountain environment. Andy Harrington, a current NWAC Avalanche Forecaster, has acknowledged Taylor’s often-unseen but profound impact, stating that his contributions have been critical in enhancing the understanding of factors contributing to avalanches.
The early days of NWAC were characterized by ingenuity born of necessity. With limited budgets and technology, staff members often had to repair and improvise their own equipment. Mark Moore recalled the need to lease a dedicated phone line between Seattle and Stevens Pass to ensure constant data flow. Rudimentary modems were employed to decode weather data transmitted via phone lines from remote locations, including ski lifts. When equipment inevitably failed, solutions were often creative, relying on readily available materials and technical know-how.
Winning Over Skepticism: Integration with the National Weather Service
The co-location of NWAC with the Seattle National Weather Service office in 1978 was a pivotal moment, though not without initial friction. Rich Marriott humorously recalled the early days, describing how he and Mark Moore, with their backcountry-worn appearance, were met with some skepticism by the NWS forecasters. However, the consistent delivery of high-quality mountain observations and the growing reliability of NWAC’s data network gradually earned the respect of even the most initially doubtful NWS personnel. Bud Reanier, then Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NWS Seattle office, played a crucial role in championing the program and facilitating its integration into the broader meteorological 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 techniques and 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 bolster NWAC’s public education initiatives and fundraising efforts, ultimately leading to a merger that unified NWAC’s operations under a single umbrella.
During this period, Mark Moore, alongside forecasters Kenny Kramer (1989-2019) and Garth Ferber (1993-2016), formed the backbone of NWAC. Garth Ferber, known for his calm demeanor, was instrumental in advancing NWAC’s weather station program and provided invaluable mentorship to newer generations of forecasters. Kenny Kramer, who became NWAC’s Forecast Director in 2013, was recognized for his forecasting acumen, though his passion for surfing and beach locales was a well-known contrast to his demanding role. 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, they laid the groundwork for NWAC’s adaptation to the rapid surge in backcountry use and technological advancements in the 2010s.
In 2013, NWAC further expanded its capabilities with the introduction of a field-based professional observer program, which included Dallas Glass, NWAC’s current Forecast Deputy Director. This expansion marked a significant step in broadening NWAC’s observational reach. The subsequent years saw a steady increase in the number of field and community-based avalanche forecasters, growing the team from its historical baseline of three meteorologists to eleven, strategically positioned across key areas from Bellingham to Hood River and Seattle to Leavenworth.
NWAC Today: A Hub of Innovation and Impact
Today, the Northwest Avalanche Center operates as a sophisticated organization with a comprehensive team of eleven full-time forecasters and support staff. This team is complemented by a dedicated network of volunteer observers and field staff who contribute invaluable real-time data from across the region. NWAC’s operational framework is supported by a robust network of over 200 weather stations strategically deployed throughout the Cascades and Olympic Mountains, providing critical data for forecasting.
The center publishes an average of 1,300 avalanche forecasts annually, disseminated through multiple platforms including their website, mobile app, and social media channels. Beyond forecasting, NWAC is deeply invested in public education, conducting hundreds of avalanche safety courses and outreach events each year, reaching thousands of backcountry enthusiasts. This extensive outreach is made possible through the sustained support of numerous long-standing partners, including federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, the National Weather Service, and the National Park Service, as well as state agencies such as WSDOT and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Partnerships with ski resorts, outdoor industry businesses, and a vibrant community of individual donors further solidify NWAC’s operational capacity and public service mission.
Looking Toward the Future: A Continuing Commitment to Safety
From the resourceful "chewing gum and beer can" fixes of its early days to the utilization of advanced technological modeling and accessible smartphone forecasts, NWAC has consistently demonstrated a spirit of innovation. The organization has evolved from a nascent effort by two young scientists to a vital center that issues over 1,300 forecasts annually, educates thousands of backcountry users, and has garnered millions of dollars in community support over its existence. As the number of individuals venturing into the backcountry continues to rise, NWAC’s mission to promote informed recreation and enhance safety remains more critical than ever.
NWAC stands as a testament to the resilience, resourcefulness, and profound sense of community found in the Pacific Northwest. As it commemorates its 50th anniversary, the center honors the pioneering individuals who established the program, the steadfast partners who have sustained its operations, and the public that has embraced its vital safety information. Looking ahead to the next half-century, NWAC remains steadfast in its core belief that informed decisions in the mountains save lives. Whether individuals are ascending a serene ridge, navigating a snow-laden highway, or imparting avalanche safety knowledge to others, they are an integral part of NWAC’s ongoing story. The center expresses pride in its rich history, deep gratitude for the unwavering support it receives, and an enthusiastic anticipation for the future.
