The 2025-26 season marks a monumental milestone for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) as it commemorates 50 years of dedicated service to the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception, NWAC has been a beacon of science-based avalanche forecasting, community-centered education, and an unwavering commitment to public safety. What began as a modest endeavor by a few passionate scientists operating out of the University of Washington has blossomed into a nationally respected institution, a testament to visionary leadership, perseverance through formidable challenges, and an enduring spirit of innovation. This is the story of NWAC: a narrative woven from the threads of pioneering individuals, the inherent dangers of mountainous terrain, and a dedication to providing critical safety information.
The Genesis of a Need: Rising Avalanche Risks in the 1970s
The 1970s witnessed a significant surge in winter recreational activities across the western United States. This burgeoning popularity, while bringing joy to many, also tragically amplified avalanche fatalities. Annual deaths, which had averaged a grim seven, climbed to over twenty, highlighting a critical gap in public awareness and forecasting capabilities. While avalanche control programs and safety education initiatives began to take root, the increasing exposure of the public to avalanche-prone terrain necessitated a more formal and proactive approach.
Early efforts to address this growing concern were spearheaded by dedicated individuals. Paul Frankenstein of the Forest Service’s Snoqualmie National Forest and Frank “Bud” Reanier of the National Weather Service (Seattle) initiated rudimentary avalanche warnings during periods of extreme danger. However, a structured forecasting system remained elusive. A pivotal step forward was taken in the early 1970s when Ken White, also from the Forest Service, launched the region’s first avalanche hotline, 442-SNOW. This early lifeline, initially serving the Snoqualmie Pass area, laid the groundwork for the comprehensive, real-time forecasting network that NWAC provides today.
The Birth of NWAC: Bridging Science and Urgency
The mid-1970s saw the formalization of an essential collaboration between the Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service. At the core of this initiative were researchers from the University of Washington, most notably the eminent snow scientist Ed LaChapelle and his graduate students Mark Moore and Rich Marriott. Their mandate was clear: to develop a practical avalanche forecasting program that could be integrated into highway operations, particularly for the critical I-90 corridor and the newly opened North Cascades Highway. These routes were vital arteries for regional transportation, yet notoriously susceptible to devastating avalanche events.
December 6, 1975: The Inaugural NWAC Forecast
What began as a temporary research project soon evolved 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 Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), established in 1973. Rich Marriott and Mark Moore, still graduate students at the time, formed the operational nucleus of this groundbreaking effort. Working in tandem with Ed LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, they were instrumental in issuing forecasts, developing essential instrumentation, and fostering crucial relationships with local and federal agencies.
The Formative Years: NWAC Takes Shape in the Late 1970s and 1980s
By 1978, NWAC entered a new era of formalization through a cooperative agreement that solidified partnerships between the Forest Service, National Weather Service, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the National Park Service. Roland “Em” Emetaz, a staunch advocate within the Forest Service, was instrumental in securing the necessary support for NWAC’s establishment and administration under the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office, enabling crucial cost-sharing and operational structure.
In these nascent years, NWAC operated with a lean but dedicated team. The original NWAC team, comprising individuals who shaped the center in the 1970s and 1980s, included:
- Mark Moore: A visionary whose career at NWAC spanned from its inception in 1975 until his retirement in 2012. Moore was a relentless champion of the center, guiding its growth and establishing it as a trusted authority.
- Rich Marriott: A key founder who, alongside Moore, built the program from the ground up. Marriott later transitioned to a distinguished career in broadcast meteorology in the Puget Sound area, becoming a familiar face on KING 5 News for over three decades.
- Ed LaChapelle: A leading snow scientist whose academic expertise provided the foundational scientific rigor for NWAC’s forecasting methods.
- Bud Reanier: A vital mentor from the National Weather Service who championed NWAC’s integration into the meteorological community.
- Paul Frankenstein: A Forest Service representative whose early warnings laid the groundwork for formal forecasting.
- Ken White: Initiator of the first avalanche hotline, a crucial precursor to NWAC’s real-time information dissemination.
- Roland “Em” Emetaz: A key Forest Service advocate who secured essential support and formalized NWAC’s administrative structure.
Several other forecasters made significant contributions during this formative period. Pam Speers Hays and Sue Ferguson were among those who left a lasting impression with their multi-year tenures.
Rich Marriott’s early career at NWAC, captured in iconic photographs, showcases the hands-on, often rugged, nature of avalanche forecasting in the late 1970s and 1980s. Examining snow crystals with a snow density kit, as Rich did, was a fundamental part of understanding snowpack stability. Mark Moore’s presence at Schweitzer Mountain in 1980 further illustrates the field-intensive nature of their work.
Sue Ferguson, who held a PhD in Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, mentored by Ed LaChapelle, was a formidable figure in snow science. She served as the Director of the Utah Avalanche Center from 1984 to 1986 and then as an avalanche meteorologist at NWAC from 1986 to 1992. Her academic contributions 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. Tragically, Sue passed away from cancer in 2005, but her impact on the field was profound, as noted by Mark Moore in a heartfelt tribute, emphasizing her precocious learning ability and her knack for developing reasoned perspectives on complex tasks.
Beyond the forecasters, the contributions of Phil Taylor, a local Seattle engineer, were indispensable. Taylor, who first connected with Moore and Marriott at UW in the 70s, dedicated himself to developing, testing, and building critical weather-measuring equipment. Many of the wind instruments and snowboards utilized by NWAC to this day bear his innovative imprint. His instruments have been deployed not only across the Cascades but on remote peaks facing the harshest weather conditions. Taylor’s tireless efforts, spent in the field, on the phone, and in his basement workshop, were crucial for creating equipment resilient enough for the Pacific Northwest’s challenging environment. Andy Harrington, a current NWAC Avalanche Forecaster, acknowledged Taylor’s often-overlooked contributions, stating that his guidance and tools have been vital in enhancing the understanding of avalanche-contributing factors.
Innovation on a Shoestring Budget
Operating without the benefit of extensive modern budgets or sophisticated tools, the early NWAC staff frequently resorted to ingenious solutions to maintain operations. Mark Moore recalled the necessity of leasing a dedicated phone line between Seattle and Stevens Pass to ensure constant data flow. A rudimentary modem allowed for the decoding of weather data transmitted via chairlift and phone lines to the NWAC office. When equipment inevitably failed, the solutions were as creative as they were practical. Reports from the era mention using items like chewing gum to secure loose parts and even repurposing beer cans for improvised repairs, underscoring the resourcefulness and dedication of the pioneering team.
Gaining Acceptance: The National Weather Service Partnership
The co-location of NWAC with the Seattle National Weather Service office in 1978 was a significant step, though not without its initial challenges. Rich Marriott humorously recounted the early days, describing himself and Mark Moore as looking as though they had "just come out of the backcountry after two years," a stark contrast to the expected professional appearance of NWS forecasters. Despite initial skepticism, the high-quality mountain observations and the expanding data network provided by NWAC proved undeniably valuable. The program’s credibility grew, largely thanks to the steadfast 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. Mark Moore’s presence in the late 1970s, surrounded by maps and weather data, symbolizes the collaborative environment that eventually fostered mutual respect and operational synergy.
Expansion and Professionalization: The 1990s and 2000s
For several decades, NWAC maintained a core team of three forecasters, diligently refining their forecasting methodologies 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 the center’s growing public education initiatives and fundraising efforts, eventually leading to a merger with the Forest Service’s NWAC operations under a unified 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’s consistent and steady approach, whether behind the forecast desk or navigating treacherous mountain terrain, was highly valued. He played a leading role in NWAC’s weather station program, providing mentorship that extended well beyond his retirement. Kenny Kramer became NWAC’s Forecast Director in 2013. While known for his exceptional forecasting abilities, Kramer also harbored a passion for surfing and beach locales. He, 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 significant transitions and expansions in the 2010s, driven by a surge in backcountry use and rapid technological advancements.
In 2013, NWAC expanded its field operations by introducing a professional observer program comprising six individuals, including Dallas Glass, NWAC’s current Forecast Deputy Director. This expansion continued steadily, with NWAC witnessing almost yearly growth in its field and community-based avalanche forecasters. The team grew 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, including:
- 11 Professional Avalanche Forecasters: Dispersed across the region, these experts provide crucial on-the-ground and remote forecasting.
- A Dedicated Support Staff: Ensuring the smooth operation of administrative and logistical functions.
- A Network of Over 150 Volunteer Observers: Providing invaluable real-time observations from across the mountain landscape.
Together, NWAC has achieved significant milestones:
- Over 1,300 Avalanche Forecasts Annually: Providing critical daily safety information.
- Thousands of Public Education Participants: Empowering backcountry users with essential safety knowledge.
- An Extensive Mountain Weather Station Network: Continuously expanding data collection for improved forecasting accuracy.
- Development of Advanced Forecasting Tools and Models: Leveraging technology to enhance predictive capabilities.
- Robust Online and Mobile Forecasting Platforms: Ensuring accessible information for the public.
This success has been made possible through the unwavering support of long-standing partners, including:
- U.S. Forest Service: A foundational partner providing crucial operational and logistical support.
- National Weather Service: A key collaborator in meteorological data and forecasting integration.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Essential for highway avalanche safety and forecasting.
- National Park Service: Collaborating on forecasting and safety initiatives within park boundaries.
- Friends of NWAC: A vital nonprofit organization supporting education, fundraising, and community engagement.
- The Avalanche Association: Advocating for avalanche safety standards and professional development.
Looking to the Future: Sustaining a Legacy of Safety
From makeshift repairs in the field to sophisticated high-tech modeling and widespread smartphone accessibility, NWAC has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation. The journey from two young scientists piecing together an avalanche forecast to a comprehensive center issuing over 1,300 forecasts annually, educating thousands, and garnering millions in community support over its history, underscores its vital role. As the allure of the backcountry continues to grow, NWAC’s mission remains more critical than ever.
NWAC embodies the spirit of the Pacific Northwest—resilient, resourceful, and deeply committed to the well-being of its community. As the center celebrates its 50th anniversary, it honors the individuals who laid its foundations, the partners who have sustained its operations, and the public who have embraced its safety-focused mission. Looking ahead to the next half-century, NWAC remains steadfast in its belief that informed recreation is paramount to saving lives. Whether traversing a remote ridge, navigating a snow-covered highway, or imparting avalanche safety knowledge, every individual contributes to NWAC’s enduring story. The organization expresses deep gratitude for its past achievements, profound appreciation for the ongoing support it receives, and enthusiastic anticipation for the future.
