Northwest Avalanche Center

Northwest Avalanche Center The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) provides daily mountain weather and avalanche forecasts

NWAC is heartbroken to report the death of our friend and colleague, Robin Pendery. On Thursday, June 4th, Robin was wor...
06/06/2026

NWAC is heartbroken to report the death of our friend and colleague, Robin Pendery. On Thursday, June 4th, Robin was working as a climbing ranger on Mt McKinley/Denali when she fell into a crevasse.

Robin has been an integral part of our community for years, working as a professional observer at NWAC, a member of the Crystal Mountain avalanche forecasting program, and a guide for Alpine Ascents International.

We want to extend our deepest sympathies to Robin’s family, friends, and community.

❄️ SAVE THE DATE for NSAW 2026! ❄️Join us for the 20th annual Northwest Snow and Avalanche Workshop – the region's bigge...
05/27/2026

❄️ SAVE THE DATE for NSAW 2026! ❄️

Join us for the 20th annual Northwest Snow and Avalanche Workshop – the region's biggest gathering of snow and avalanche professionals, researchers, and backcountry travelers.

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 9am - 5pm
📍 Cascadia College, Bothell, WA
🎟️ Tickets available in September

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious backcountry newcomer, NSAW is where the PNW avalanche community comes together.

🗣️ WANT TO PRESENT? We're accepting breakout session proposals now! Topics can include backcountry skills, regional snow science, citizen science, or research. Small groups and interactive activities.

Submissions due June 14th. Link in bio for proposal guidelines or email [email protected] with questions.

NWAC is now accepting speaker proposals for NSAW 2026 breakout sessions.NWAC welcomes proposals for breakout sessions in...
05/22/2026

NWAC is now accepting speaker proposals for NSAW 2026 breakout sessions.

NWAC welcomes proposals for breakout sessions in the following categories: skills and tools for backcountry travelers, local/regional topics, citizen science opportunities, and research presentations. If you are interested in leading a breakout session at NSAW, we'd love to hear from you.

Speakers should be qualified in their field and have extensive first hand experience with their topic.

Read more and submit a proposal here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Kf5B2G77T6WoZzSGA_RrCE0gP-BW9Fo8

Submissions close June 14th.

Today is GiveBIG, and we're so grateful to have this community behind us. 💙Every winter, hundreds of thousands of backco...
05/05/2026

Today is GiveBIG, and we're so grateful to have this community behind us. 💙

Every winter, hundreds of thousands of backcountry travelers check our forecasts before heading into the mountains, and that information is free because people like you make it possible.

Your gift today funds daily forecasts, 53 real-time weather stations, education programs, and the team that makes it all happen.

If NWAC has ever helped you make decisions in the mountains, today's the day to give back: https://www.wagives.org/organization/northwest-avalanche-center-1

Another impactful season, made possible by this community 🤍As winter comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what we accom...
04/24/2026

Another impactful season, made possible by this community 🤍

As winter comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what we accomplished together. From education and outreach programs to daily forecasting and the continued growth of the AvyApp, NWAC’s work continues to expand its reach.

❄️ 1,256 forecasts issued across 134 forecast days
❄️ 317 forecaster field days
❄️ More than 752,000 words written for the forecast - the equivalent of 30 Shakespearean plays! 🎭
❄️ 519,000 website users and 28,000 unique app users
❄️ The AvyApp now includes 16 U.S. avalanche centers
Behind every forecast, class, observation, and field day is a community that makes this work possible.

Thank you for being part of this network of supporters, educators, volunteers, and backcountry users. Your support helps keep avalanche information, education, and forecasting accessible to the community.

Another impactful season, made possible by this community 🤍As winter comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what we accom...
04/24/2026

Another impactful season, made possible by this community 🤍

As winter comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what we accomplished together. From education and outreach programs to daily forecasting and the continued growth of the AvyApp, NWAC’s work continues to expand its reach.

❄️ 1,256 forecasts issued across 134 forecast days
❄️ 317 forecaster field days
❄️ More than 752,000 words written for the forecast - the equivalent of 30 Shakespearean plays! 🎭
❄️ 519,000 website users and 28,000 unique app users
❄️ The AvyApp now includes 16 U.S. avalanche centers

Behind every forecast, class, observation, and field day is a community that makes this work possible. Thank you for being part of this network of supporters, educators, volunteers, and backcountry users. Your support helps keep avalanche information, education, and forecasting accessible to the community.

04/23/2026

From our nonprofit team to our forecasters out in the field, all of us at NWAC are so thankful for the community that makes this work possible.

Your support powers everything we do. From daily forecasts to education and outreach programs – none of it would be possible without this community showing up year after year.

Today is the FINAL day of our Spring Fund Drive. If you’ve been meaning to give, now’s the time. ❄️

Help us keep this work going. Visit https://give.nwac.us/campaign/778073/donate?c_src=facebook to donate today!

It wasn’t the season we imagined – with atmospheric rivers, a below-average snowpack, unpredictable conditions, and the ...
04/21/2026

It wasn’t the season we imagined – with atmospheric rivers, a below-average snowpack, unpredictable conditions, and the loss of beloved members of our backcountry community.

But through it all, one thing never wavered: our incredible community.
❄️ 1,500+ volunteer hours
❄️ 174 education programs held
❄️ 3,400+ backcountry users reached through Trailhead Outreach
❄️ 3,000+ NWAC members showing up in support
❄️ Daily forecasts published, every single day from December through April

With just 3 days left in our Spring Fund Drive, we’re $20,000 away from our $40,000 goal – funding a brand new NWAC website designed to make forecasts and education resources more accessible for backcountry users in the PNW.

If this community, these forecasts, or these education programs are meaningful to you, we'd love your support. Visit https://give.nwac.us/campaign/778073/donate?c_src=facebook to support!

04/20/2026

The AvyApp. Built by this community, for this community.

Launched in 2023, the AvyApp brings together the tools you rely on – avalanche forecasts, weather station data, and observations – all in one streamlined place for planning your day in the backcountry. Built in partnership with other avalanche centers, it’s just the beginning of what’s possible.

And here’s the thing: Avy was funded 100% by individual donations to NWAC. Every download, every forecast you check, it’s all powered by this community.
As part of our Spring Fund Drive, your support helps us keep building tools like this. Free, accessible, and built for you.

🔗 Help us continue to build the future of avalanche forecasting. Donate today at https://give.nwac.us/campaign/778073/donate?c_src=facebook

04/19/2026

50 years ago, Mark and Rich began with a question: What information would we want if we were heading into the backcountry?

What started with our NWAC founders building forecasts from the ground up is now a system reaching thousands of backcountry users every day.

Today, NWAC forecasts are accessible on your phone via the AvyApp and on the NWAC website. We’re using technology that Mark and Rich could only imagine when they wrote their first avalanche forecast in 1975.

A lot has changed in 50 years, but our mission remains the same: give people the information they need to make good decisions in the mountains.

Help us carry this work forward → donate at https://give.nwac.us/campaign/778073/donate?c_src=facebook

Address

249 Main Avenue S. Suite 107/366
North Bend, WA
98045

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Northwest Avalanche Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category