Latest news with #NorthwestAvalancheCenter
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Washington Ski Resort Donates $100K+ to Avalanche Forecasters
In a recent chairlift auction, Crystal Mountain, Washington, raised $116,000 for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC).'We can't thank this team enough for the data they provide to keep us safe and in the know,' Crystal Mountain wrote in a social media ski resort likely couldn't have chosen an organization more favored by skiers. Established in 1975, NWAC is one of North America's premier avalanche centers. Its forecast zones stretch from northern Oregon and throughout Washington, helping skiers make sense of constantly changing winter conditions so they can stay safe as they travel through the backcountry. The auction sold 50 chairs from Crystal Mountain's Rainier Express, or, as it's locally known, REX. First installed in 1988, REX was Washington's first high-speed detachable quad chairlift and, for decades, served as a vital piece of terrain infrastructure, providing access to classic runs like The Doors and to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates. All good things must come to an end, though, and this summer, the ski resort opted to replace REX after its 37-year tenure with a new high-speed quad manufactured by Leitner-Poma. The project is expected to be completed in December bid REX farewell, Crystal Mountain hosted the Last Riders of REX 1988 earlier this month, a 1980s-themed party at the lower terminal of the chairlift. It featured live music, giveaways, and contests. Era-accurate costumes that featured neon and wild patterns were construction on REX's replacement is underway, Crystal Mountain hasn't concluded ski operations for this season. The ski resort is temporarily closed this week, but plans to open for skiing and riding during the final stretch of extended operations over Memorial Day weekend (May 23-26, 2025).The last weekend, as is normal for late-season skiing, won't include any beginner terrain. The available slopes will be accessed by the Green Valley lift, with the ski resort's gondola providing access to the mountain from the base area. Summer activities at Crystal Mountain kick off later this week, too, beginning on May 23 and lasting through May 26. The ski resort will shift to a daily summer operation schedule on June 27.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Avalanche buries and kills snowmobiler, traps another, Washington officials say
An avalanche triggered by snowmobilers swept away two people, killing one, Washington officials reported. The avalanche took place at Harts Pass on Friday, Feb. 28, the Northwest Avalanche Center said in a preliminary report. Two snowmobilers were caught in the slab avalanche, which buried and killed one of them, the center said. The other snowmobiler was partly buried and injured, the center said. An investigation with local avalanche professionals continues. Harts Pass is about a 270-mile drive northeast from Seattle. Avalanches happen quickly and catch people by surprise. They can move between 60 and 80 mph and typically happen on slopes of 30-45 degrees, according to experts. Skiers, snowmobilers and hikers can set off an avalanche when a layer of snow collapses and starts to slide down the slope. In the U.S., avalanches are most common from December to April, but they can happen at any time if the conditions are right, National Geographic reported. At least 15 people in the U.S. have died in avalanches this season as of March 2, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. People heading into snow should always check the local avalanche forecast at officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, and have an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel ready. 'Emergency services are usually too far away from the scene of an avalanche, and time is important,' Simon Trautman, a national avalanche specialist, said. 'A person trapped under the snow may not have more than 20 or 30 minutes. So, in a backcountry scenario, you are your own rescue party.' If an avalanche breaks out, it's best to move diagonal to the avalanche to an edge, Trautman said. 'Try to orient your feet downhill so that your lower body, not your head, takes most of the impact,' officials said. 'You may also get into a tight ball as another way to protect your head.' Snowmobiler trapped with child calls for help with a dying phone, MT rescuers say Snowmobiler plunges into deep canyon and triggers avalanche, Washington rescuers say Avalanche buries and kills backcountry snowboarder, Colorado officials say
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Avalanche buries and kills snowmobiler, traps another, Washington officials say
An avalanche triggered by snowmobilers swept away two people, killing one, Washington officials reported. The avalanche took place at Harts Pass on Friday, Feb. 28, the Northwest Avalanche Center said in a preliminary report. Two snowmobilers were caught in the slab avalanche, which buried and killed one of them, the center said. The other snowmobiler was partly buried and injured, the center said. An investigation with local avalanche professionals continues. Harts Pass is about a 270-mile drive northeast from Seattle. Avalanches happen quickly and catch people by surprise. They can move between 60 and 80 mph and typically happen on slopes of 30-45 degrees, according to experts. Skiers, snowmobilers and hikers can set off an avalanche when a layer of snow collapses and starts to slide down the slope. In the U.S., avalanches are most common from December to April, but they can happen at any time if the conditions are right, National Geographic reported. At least 15 people in the U.S. have died in avalanches this season as of March 2, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. People heading into snow should always check the local avalanche forecast at officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, and have an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel ready. 'Emergency services are usually too far away from the scene of an avalanche, and time is important,' Simon Trautman, a national avalanche specialist, said. 'A person trapped under the snow may not have more than 20 or 30 minutes. So, in a backcountry scenario, you are your own rescue party.' If an avalanche breaks out, it's best to move diagonal to the avalanche to an edge, Trautman said. 'Try to orient your feet downhill so that your lower body, not your head, takes most of the impact,' officials said. 'You may also get into a tight ball as another way to protect your head.' Snowmobiler trapped with child calls for help with a dying phone, MT rescuers say Snowmobiler plunges into deep canyon and triggers avalanche, Washington rescuers say Avalanche buries and kills backcountry snowboarder, Colorado officials say
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Seattle Weather: Rounds of Heavy Rain on Sunday
Seattle - With the arrival of the atmospheric river today came periods of heavy rain and breezy winds. Wind gusts around our region were reported, ranging from 25mph to almost 60mph. Winds are forecast to be breezy again on Sunday with high winds expected from Monday night into Tuesday. With snow levels hovering around 6000', much of the precipitation is falling as rain in our mountains. This is leading to a lot of runoff into our area rivers with levels rising, especially along the Skokomish. With more rain forecast to push through tomorrow, we are monitoring other rivers too. There's a widespread Flood Watch in effect for much of Western Washington to reflect the chance for rising rivers, creeks and streams in the coming days. We even can't rule out hyper-localized street flooding where torrential rain develops over areas with poor drainage. Other rivers in Western Washington will be rising in the coming days – potentially nearing or exceeding flood stage in some areas by Sunday and/or Monday. This includes the Snoqualmie River. This doesn't look like a major river flooding event by any stretch: in fact, it looks mostly minor. However, if you live in flood-prone valleys, just stay tuned to our forecasts. The areas with the best chance of river flooding will be for rivers coming out of the Central and Southern Washington Cascades, the Olympics and in Southwest Washington. While we may see a break in the heavy rain overnight, it will ramp back up again by Sunday afternoon. The danger of avalanches is high in the backcountry: experts warn against doing backcountry skiing and snowboarding this weekend in many places over the Cascades and Olympics! Head to the Northwest Avalanche Center for more details on the Avalanche Warning in effect. On the heels of the wet weekend, Western Washington is bracing for a potential high wind event on Monday. A Weather Alert Day has been issued by the FOX13 Weather Team as we are tracking winds that could be gusting well over 50 mph at times. Stay tuned for the latest on this forecast as we continue to monitor it in the coming days.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Experts give tips for avalanche safety following tragedy in the Oregon Cascades
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Seven people in Oregon and 23 people in Washington have died of avalanches in the last 10 years, . Although avalanches can be sudden and unpredictable, 90% of avalanche incidents are triggered by people, according to the National Weather Service. Because avalanches are often caused by humans, there are some precautions people can take to avoid getting caught in the potentially deadly flows of snow, ice and debris. Bend couple identified as victims of Central Oregon avalanche Dallas Glass, the Deputy Director and Avalanche Forecaster for the Northwest Avalanche Center, told KOIN 6 there are two main keys to avoiding avalanches: Checking the forecast and receiving proper training before heading into avalanche zones. Avalanche centers around the U.S. issue daily avalanche forecasts. These forecasts specify what regions are at risk of avalanches and how likely they are to occur. The avalanche warning scale has five tiers: Low, Moderate, Considerable, High and Extreme. 'Each one of these levels of danger is significantly more dangerous than the one before it,' Glass said. Avalanche danger was at Level 3 (Considerable) in Oregon's central Cascades when a Bend couple was tragically killed in an avalanche on Feb. 17, east of Broken Top. Historically, the highest number of avalanche deaths have occurred when conditions are at the Level 3 stage, when avalanche hazards are less obvious, states. 'Under [Level 3] danger, natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered slides are likely,' the website reads. 'Avalanche conditions are considered dangerous and careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision making are essential. Small avalanches can occur in many areas, large avalanches in specific areas, and very large avalanches in isolated areas.' Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Manager Nathan Garibay told KOIN 6 News that telling people where you're going and what time you'll be back is also an important part of avalanche safety. 'I would say, in this case, the couple did everything right,' Garibay said. '[People] noticed that they were missing … people knew what general area they were going to be in. Unfortunately, that didn't change the outcome of this tragic situation.' Strong atmospheric river to impact Portland area this weekend Another important step for avoiding avalanche danger is education, Glass said. offers free 90-minute avalanche training classes through Zoom and in person. NWAC also offers . 'One: Get the forecast. Two: get the training,' Glass said. '… Free 90-minute classes are a great way to start.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
