It hardly needs saying that we have had an odd start to winter here in the Northwest. Due to this unusual season, we have adopted a modified forecast schedule at the Northwest Avalanche Center.
What we want you to know: The Mountain Weather Forecast will continue to be issued twice a day; once in the morning along with an afternoon update. The Mountain Weather Forecast has been and will continue to be issued near 8 am until the season really gets going, (think patrols doing regular early morning avalanche control). When the weather pattern hopefully shifts to snowier days ahead, we will return to our usual 7 am issuance. There continues to be no change to the daily avalanche forecast issued at 6 pm.
For the nuts and bolts of our forecast schedule read on...
The backcountry observations obtained through our Professional Observers program generally arrive between midday and late afternoon. This program provides us with outstanding information to help steer the avalanche forecast and compliments the professional snowpack observations received via our partners (DOT, ski resorts, NPS) throughout the forecast day.
Shifting the mountain weather forecast issuance a bit later in the AM has allowed us to arrive and stay later and generally be more productive. We have more time in the afternoon to collect and process observations, and to troubleshoot our extensive mountain weather station (telemetry) network.
Of course when winter really returns, don't worry, we'll be ready! Garth, arriving early to bring you his choice wisdom!
As always, thank you for supporting the work we do at the NWAC!