TheNorthwest Weather and Avalanche Center (NWAC) is anon-profitweather forecasting center located inSeattle,Washington, focusing primarily on weather conditions that can lead toavalanches in thePacific Northwest. Its twice daily forecasts are important for recreational and professional users of mountains and other rural areas in the Pacific Northwest.[1]
The center focuses on forecasting for weather conditions that can lead to avalanches theMount Hood region in Oregon, the northernCascade Range in Washington, and theOlympic Mountains in Washington.[2] The center also compiles and publishes accident reports when avalanches cause injury or death.[3] Administered by theMount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, the program consists of two avalanche meteorologists based in the SeattleNational Weather Service Forecast office, and six avalanche specialists based in satellite offices across Washington andOregon.[4]
Former director NWAC director Mark Moore gained notoriety for his rhyming weather forecasts. He released his final such forecast shortly before retiring in December, 2012:[1]
So my wish is simple when the season is done.That no one has died, not even one.
— Mark Moore
Director Moore summarized NWAC's mission as "we try to promote safe use of the mountains in the wintertime".[1] As part of this mission, it issues warnings when there are conditions that increase the risk of avalanches.[5] For example, NWAC had issued an avalanche advisory on the day of the2012 Tunnel Creek avalanche, which all of the involvedfreeskiers had read and disregarded before starting down the mountain.[6]