The 2025-26 winter season marks a monumental occasion 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 cornerstone of science-based avalanche forecasting, community-centered avalanche education, and an unwavering commitment to public safety in mountainous regions. What began as a modest endeavor by a handful of passionate scientists operating out of the University of Washington has blossomed into a nationally recognized and respected institution within the avalanche safety community. This is the story of NWAC: a narrative woven from the vision of its founders, the persistent challenges overcome, and the resourceful spirit that forged one of the most trusted names in mountain weather and avalanche forecasting.
The Genesis of a Need: Rising Avalanche Fatalities and Early Warnings
The 1970s witnessed a dramatic surge in winter recreation across the western United States. As more individuals ventured into the snow-covered backcountry for activities like skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering, the number of avalanche fatalities regrettably escalated. The average number of avalanche-related deaths per year climbed from a historical average of seven to more than twenty. While avalanche control programs and safety education initiatives began to expand, the sheer increase in public exposure to avalanche terrain meant that the demand for reliable forecasting and warnings was becoming critically urgent.
In response to this growing concern, individuals like Paul Frankenstein of the Forest Service (Snoqualmie National Forest) and Frank "Bud" Reanier of the National Weather Service (Seattle) took initial steps by issuing informal avalanche warnings during periods of extreme danger. However, a formal, systematic forecasting program was conspicuously absent. This nascent need began to be addressed in the early 1970s when Ken White, also with the Forest Service, launched the Northwest’s first avalanche hotline, known as 442-SNOW. Initially serving the Snoqualmie Pass area, this early hotline represented a significant stride towards the comprehensive, real-time forecasting network that is indispensable today.
The Birth of NWAC: A Fusion of Science and Urgency
The mid-1970s saw the initiation of a crucial collaboration that would lay the groundwork for NWAC. This partnership involved key institutions: the Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Seattle office of the National Weather Service. At the scientific core of this initiative were researchers from the University of Washington, most notably the distinguished snow scientist Ed LaChapelle, alongside his dedicated graduate students Mark Moore and Rich Marriott.
Their primary mission was to develop a practical avalanche forecasting program that could be effectively utilized for highway operations, particularly along the vital Interstate 90 corridor and the newly opened North Cascades Highway. These transportation arteries were not only essential for regional connectivity but were also acutely vulnerable to the destructive power of avalanches. The development of a reliable forecasting system was paramount to ensuring the safety of travelers and mitigating the economic disruption caused by avalanche closures.
December 6, 1975: The Inaugural Forecast and a New Era
What began as a temporary research initiative soon transitioned into a fully operational program. On December 6, 1975, NWAC issued its first official backcountry avalanche forecast. This milestone positioned NWAC as the second program of its kind in the United States, following Colorado’s Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), which had been established in 1973.
The foundational efforts were largely shouldered by Rich Marriott and Mark Moore, who, while still graduate students, formed the operational backbone of the nascent center. They collaborated closely with Ed LaChapelle and Bud Reanier, working diligently to issue forecasts, construct essential instrumentation, and foster crucial relationships with local and federal agencies. This early period was characterized by a relentless drive to establish a reliable system amidst limited resources.
Shaping NWAC: The Foundations of the Late 1970s and 1980s
The year 1978 marked a pivotal turning point for NWAC as it entered a new phase through 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 advocate during this formative period was Roland "Em" Emetaz, whose strong support within the Forest Service was instrumental in securing the necessary resources and formalizing NWAC’s structure. This cooperative framework enabled cost-sharing and established the program’s administration under the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Regional Office.
In these formative years, NWAC operated with a lean infrastructure:
- Limited Staff: The initial team consisted of a core group of dedicated individuals, often juggling multiple roles.
- Rudimentary Equipment: Reliance was placed on a combination of existing weather stations, manual observations, and innovative, often self-made, equipment.
- Essential Partnerships: Strong collaborations with the National Weather Service, Forest Service, and WSDOT were critical for data sharing and operational support.
The original NWAC team in the 1970s and 1980s included:
- Mark Moore: A driving force from the outset, Moore dedicated his entire career to NWAC, retiring in 2012 after championing the center’s growth and development.
- Rich Marriott: A co-founder, Marriott later transitioned to a successful career in broadcast meteorology, becoming a familiar face on KING 5 News for over three decades.
- Ed LaChapelle: A renowned snow scientist whose expertise provided the theoretical foundation for NWAC’s forecasting methods.
- Bud Reanier: A crucial mentor from the National Weather Service who recognized and supported NWAC’s potential.
- Paul Frankenstein: An early proponent from the Forest Service who helped initiate informal warnings.
- Ken White: Instrumental in establishing the first avalanche hotline.
- Pam Speers Hays and Sue Ferguson: Forecasters who made significant contributions during their tenures.
The dedication of this pioneering team is vividly illustrated in historical photographs. Mark Moore, often seen in the field, exemplifies the hands-on approach required in those early days, as captured in images of him checking snow stability at Stevens Pass in the late 1970s. Rich Marriott, meticulously examining snow crystals with specialized density kits designed by Phil Taylor, highlights the scientific rigor being applied.
Sue Ferguson, who earned a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington under Ed LaChapelle’s mentorship, played a particularly influential role. 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. Beyond her direct forecasting work, Ferguson was a prolific contributor to snow science literature, publishing instructional books and co-founding The Avalanche Review. Her instrumental role in establishing the American Avalanche Association underscores her significant impact on the broader avalanche safety community. Tragically, Sue passed away in 2005 after a battle with cancer, but her legacy of scientific inquiry and community building continues to resonate. Mark Moore’s tribute to her in April 2006 poignantly described her as "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 directly involved in forecasting, Phil Taylor, a local Seattle engineer, was indispensable to NWAC’s success and longevity. Taylor, who first connected with Moore and Marriott at the University of Washington in the 1970s, dedicated himself to designing, testing, and building specialized weather instruments. Many of the wind instruments and snow boards still utilized by NWAC today bear his innovative imprint. Taylor’s instruments are deployed not only across the Cascades but also on remote peaks facing the harshest weather conditions. His tireless efforts in his basement workshop, collaborating with NWAC staff and other snow professionals, ensured that equipment could withstand the challenging Pacific Northwest environment. Andy Harrington, a current NWAC Avalanche Forecaster, noted in a tribute that Taylor’s contributions were often "overlooked" but that 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: Resourcefulness in Action
Operating without the benefit of modern budgets or advanced technological tools, the early NWAC staff were compelled to become exceptionally resourceful. They frequently built and repaired their own weather instruments, a testament to their ingenuity and dedication. Mark Moore recalled the challenge of securing communication lines: "We had to lease a [phone] line between Seattle and Stevens Pass. We had our own line for feeding information all the time." Data transmission was equally rudimentary, often relying on a basic modem to decode weather information sent via phone lines from remote locations.
When equipment inevitably failed, the solutions were as creative as they were practical:
- Duct Tape and Ingenuity: Minor repairs often involved readily available materials, showcasing a "make-do" philosophy.
- Repurposed Materials: Components from other devices or salvaged parts were ingeniously adapted for weather monitoring.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Staff pooled their knowledge and skills to troubleshoot and maintain essential equipment.
Earning Respect: Integrating 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 recalled the early reception: "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 persistent delivery of high-quality mountain observations and the continuous expansion of NWAC’s data network gradually proved their value. Even the most initially skeptical forecasters came to appreciate the indispensable insights provided by the avalanche center. A critical factor in this acceptance was the unwavering support from Bud Reanier, who, as Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NWS Seattle, championed the program’s potential and facilitated its integration into the broader forecasting community. Mark Moore, pictured in the late 1970s within the NWS office, surrounded by maps and meteorological data, epitomizes the dedication required to bridge the gap between backcountry realities and formal weather forecasting.
Expansion and Professionalization: The 1990s and 2000s
For several decades, NWAC operated with a focused team of three forecasters, consistently refining their forecasting methodologies and diligently expanding their network of mountain weather stations. A significant organizational development occurred in 1999 with the establishment of the nonprofit Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. This community-driven organization was formed to bolster the center’s growing public education efforts and fundraising capabilities. Ultimately, this nonprofit entity would merge with the Forest Service’s NWAC operations, creating a unified organizational structure.
Alongside Mark Moore, two forecasters formed the operational backbone of NWAC for nearly three decades: Kenny Kramer (serving from 1989 to 2019) and Garth Ferber (from 1993 to 2016). Garth Ferber, known for his calm and steady demeanor, brought that same professionalism whether he was behind the forecast desk or undertaking challenging mountaineering expeditions. He played a leading role in the development of NWAC’s weather station program during the latter part of his tenure, providing invaluable mentorship to the emerging generation of forecasters, a role that extended well beyond his retirement. Kenny Kramer assumed the position of NWAC’s Forecast Director in 2013. While renowned for his forecasting acumen, Kramer also harbored a deep affection for coastal locales and surfing. Kenny, along with 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 significant transition and expansion during the 2010s, a period marked by a surge in backcountry use and rapid technological advancements.
In 2013, NWAC underwent further expansion with the introduction of a field-based professional observer program, comprising six individuals, including Dallas Glass, NWAC’s current Forecast Deputy Director. This initiative was followed by a steady, almost annual, growth in 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 diverse regions from Bellingham to Hood River and from Seattle to Leavenworth.
NWAC Today: A Hub of Innovation and Impact
As of the 2025-26 season, NWAC operates with a significantly expanded and professionalized team:
- Forecasting Staff: A robust team of eleven professional avalanche forecasters and meteorologists.
- Field Observers: A dedicated network of individuals collecting critical snow and weather data across the region.
- Support Staff: Personnel managing operations, education, outreach, and technology.
Collectively, the NWAC team has built:
- An Extensive Weather Station Network: Deploying and maintaining over 100 automated weather stations in critical avalanche terrain.
- A Comprehensive Forecasting System: Issuing daily avalanche forecasts for multiple mountain zones, providing vital safety information to the public.
- Robust Educational Programs: Delivering avalanche safety courses, workshops, and outreach to thousands of backcountry users annually.
- Advanced Data Analysis Tools: Utilizing sophisticated modeling and data visualization to enhance forecasting accuracy.
NWAC’s enduring success is also attributed to the unwavering support from its long-standing partners:
- U.S. Forest Service: Providing essential operational support and institutional framework.
- National Weather Service: Facilitating data sharing and meteorological expertise.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Collaborating on avalanche mitigation for highway safety.
- National Park Service: Supporting avalanche safety within park boundaries.
- Friends of NWAC: A vital nonprofit organization providing crucial funding and community engagement.
- Local Ski Resorts and Backcountry Organizations: Partnering on data collection and public outreach.
Charting the Future: A Legacy of Safety and Resilience
From the ingenious, often makeshift, repairs of early equipment to the sophisticated high-tech modeling and widespread smartphone accessibility of today, NWAC has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation. The journey from two young scientists meticulously crafting an avalanche forecast to a fully operational center issuing over 1,300 forecasts annually, educating thousands of backcountry enthusiasts, and garnering millions of dollars in community support over its history is a remarkable testament to its enduring mission. As the number of individuals venturing into the backcountry continues to grow, NWAC’s role in providing life-saving 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 golden anniversary, it honors the pioneering individuals who laid its foundations, the steadfast partners who have sustained its operations, and the public who have embraced its vital services. Looking ahead to the next fifty years, NWAC remains grounded in the fundamental belief that informed recreation is intrinsically linked to saving lives. Whether one is ascending a quiet ridge, navigating a snow-laden highway, or instructing others in avalanche safety, each individual becomes a part of NWAC’s ongoing narrative. The center is proud of its rich past, deeply grateful for the ongoing support it receives, and eagerly anticipates the challenges and opportunities of the next fifty years.
