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.
Avalanche Warnings, Watches and Special Bulletins
The Northwest Avalanche Center partners with the National Weather Service to more widely disseminate Warnings, Watches and Special Bulletins to the general public and media.
Please see this document for more information about Avalanche Warnings, Watches and Special Bulletins.
Avalanche Problems
Avalanche forecasters in the United States use nine distinct ‘types’ to describe avalanche conditions. Definitions of the nine avalanche problems along with a short video produced by the National Avalanche Center can be found here: