Northwest Avalanche Center launches new website
Dec 27, 2013, 1:07 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2013, 9:50 am
The view on the homepage only displays the highest danger rating in effect for any elevation band and is intended for the novice user.
The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) has launched a new avalanche forecasting website to assist winter-time backcountry enthusiasts with their decision making while traveling in avalanche terrain.
In addition to an improved and cleaner interface the new site is designed to be more useful to backcountry travelers with various levels of experience: from the novice with little knowledge of avalanche hazards to the experienced snow safety professional working in the field daily.
The design incorporates a three tier approach to presenting the avalanche hazard. The view on the homepage only displays the highest danger rating in effect for any elevation band and is intended for the novice user.
The second tier presents the forecast graphically with the danger rating specific to the three elevation bands and a graphic of the avalanche concerns at those levels. A second tab displays a detailed avalanche forecast and a snowpack analysis. That will provide insight and further discussion about the forecast.
The third tab is the raw weather and snowpack data aimed at the most experienced user. The focus on avalanche concerns has become the industry standard in education and avalanche forecasting throughout North America.
The new site replaces the former site that received 1.75 million visits last winter. With the number of backcountry travelers growing annually, the need to provide pertinent information for all levels of users has grown.
In addition to providing a daily mountain weather and avalanche forecast, NWAC offers roughly 100 free avalanche awareness classes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
