Northwest Avalanche Center

The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) produces daily avalanche forecasts for 10 zones across Washington State and northern Oregon during the winter season. Field-based avalanche forecasters and meteorologists analyze snow observations from across the area and analyze weather forecast guidance to create a forecast specific to each zone. Daily avalanche forecasts are issued every day at 6 pm. Avalanche and snowpack information comes in from NWAC forecasters, NWAC professional observers, avalanche professionals, backcountry travelers and remote weather stations from around the region on a daily basis. Professional ski patrols, highway avalanche control programs, national park and forest rangers, ski guides and other professionals share information with the Northwest Avalanche Center throughout the winter in order to ensure that the best and most pertinent information becomes incorporated into our forecast.