Historical Posts Archives - Page 18 of 378 - Mount Washington Observatory

August 2019

A Chilly August Weekend Ahead

2019-08-09 09:50:28.000 – Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

The weekend ahead looks to feature some of the first “fall-like” weather on the summit, even though the calendar only reads mid-August! There’s even a chance we could see our first freezing temperatures of the new snow season (which runs from July to June). We’ll take a look at the larger scale weather features responsible and also put this into context compared to our historical records on the summit.

GFS model 250 mb (jet stream level) winds showing a large trough, or dip in the jet stream over the Northeast U.S. Image courtesy of Tropical Tidbits.

A large upper level low will be moving across southern Canada through the weekend, with a deep flow of northwesterly winds pulling in colder air into New England. At the surface this air will be moderated by the strong still-summer sun, but near Mount Washington’s level this will be an expansive, cool to even cold air mass.

GFS model 850 mb (5,000 ft level) temperatures showing a large mass of cooler air over southern Canada and the Northeast U.S Saturday morning. Image courtesy of Tropical Tidbits.

The coldest air temperatures will likely be during the predawn hours Sunday morning, when the summit will likely get very close to the freezing mark. Winds will also be gusting to near hurricane force (74+mph) during this time frame, adding to the chill in the air. Both days of the weekend will be very chilly and raw overall, with below freezing wind chills on any exposed skin. The summit will spend the majority of the weekend in the clouds, with rain showers and even a few thunderstorms possible Saturday. This will be in stark contrast to the valleys below, where temperatures will climb into very comfortable readings in the 70s Fahrenheit. Please be prepared for very chilly, wet conditions on the summit if planning to visit us this weekend!

3 km NAM model showing potential rain showers and embedded thunderstorms accompanying the cold front Saturday morning. Any storms that develop could contain small hail due to the low freezing levels. Image courtesy of Tropical Tidbits.

In historical context this will not be a record setting cold event for this time of year. The summit typically starts a downward trend in our temperatures right around early August, and daily record lows for this weekend are in the upper 20s Fahrenheit, so a few degrees colder than what is expected. In only one short month below freezing temperatures actually become the norm for us up here, and typically our first measurable snowfall will have occurred before the end of September. Winter and all the exciting weather that comes with it is just around the corner, but for now we’ll enjoy the warmth while it lasts!

Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

My Summer Internship In Review

2019-08-04 17:49:27.000 – Ethan Rogers, Summit Intern

“It just doesn’t feel real”. That was my reaction after learning that I had been offered a position as an intern for the summer here on Mt. Washington. I was about to work at a place I had never been to before, and live in a region I had never dreamed I would ever live at. I was assigned my first research project, something I had been pondering doing at Penn State, but it was never something I had time to follow through with. The project that I was assigned was completely new, and I learned that I would be working on something that had never been formally researched yet. This summer for me was a summer of a lot of firsts for me. It was also a summer of learning, great times, and great people.

On my first day as an intern, I was incredibly nervous. All of the responsibilities we were given as interns, such as working on our research projects, making forecasts and radio calls, giving tours, and working in the museum were very daunting to me. However, with the help of the employees here, it was made much easier. By the end of the summer, I had given dozens of tours, made several forecasts and radio calls, and worked countless hours in the museum. All the while, I gained confidence in myself and even gained a new vision for the future. I learned about the pleasures of working with people, and incorporating meteorology to education and presentation. My career path became one where I wanted to work with people, as opposed to avoiding interaction.

I have met some incredible people up here, whether they worked at the observatory, at the state park, were members of the observatory, or were volunteers. I have learned something from every single person I met up here, and it has truly been an eye opening experience. I also want to give a shout out to all of our wonderful volunteers. Meeting such unique people every week has been one of the most fun parts of working up here, and the work they do each and every week deserves to be appreciated. Meeting new members and giving tours to people from all walks of life has also been amazing, and I have met some more incredible people doing that as well.

“The Undercasts” (from left to right): Intern Ben, Museum Attd. Carrie, Me, Intern Austin, Volunteer Liz

With all of this being said, I am writing this on the Sunday of my last week as an intern here on the summit of Mt. Washington. If I could do this all over again and again, I would. But alas, my time is up here. “It just doesn’t feel real”. That is my reaction to this internship being over, after a summer I will definitely never forget. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and everyone I met during my time up here. I’ll be back!

Ethan Rogers, Summit Intern

How does July Add Up?

2019-08-02 18:30:35.000 – Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist

Now that July is over, let’s look at how this July stacked up in our records.

First, looking at temperatures, the average temperature for this July was 52.4°F, which is 3.4 degrees above our average of 49°F. For up here, that is quite a bit above average since our summer months usually do not see much variation in temperature from year to year. Below is a table of the top 10 warmest July’s we have seen up here.

Rank	Year	Average Temperature
1	1955	53.5
2	2013	53.1
3	2018	53.1
4	2006	52.8
5	1952	52.6
6	1959	52.5
7	2019	52.4
8	1994	52.2
9	2005	52.2
10	1949	51.8

2019 ended up being our 7^th warmest July on record. What is unusual about this month being a top 10 warmest month is the fact that we set no daily record highs. Where this year got its warm average was very warm overnight lows. The lowest temperature that we saw this month was 41 degrees, which is the warmest lowest monthly temperature we have ever seen in our history. The previous highest was 40 degrees in July of 1955.

Next up is precipitation. July had quite a few days with measurable precipitation but no days with an insane amount. We were a little above average in days with measurable precipitation but our highest amount we saw in 24 hours was only about 1.69 inches. Most months we will see at least 2 inches in a 24 hour period either due to a tropical system passing nearby or training thunderstorms over the White Mountains. Our total precipitation was 7.72, which is 1.05 inches below normal. July ended up being the 32^nd wettest July on record.

As far as wind speed goes, we averaged 25.6 mph this month, which is -0.1 mph lower than the average of 25.7 mph. This made for the 38^th windiest July on record. The Highest wind gust was 82 mph on the 14th which is a pretty typical summer time peak monthly wind.

Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist

Brother and Sister Seek the Peak!

2019-07-30 10:27:22.000 – John King, Summit Intern

Brief background, I am currently a Senior at West Virginia University (WVU) and my sister Katie graduated from there in 2016. Following a previous history of the King family going to WVU, you could say being a mountaineer is in our blood. When walking around campus and outside in the network, one of the most common phrases you’ll hear is “Mountaineers climb higher.” The weekend of Seek the Peak we did just that.

Leading up to Seek the Peak there were emotions of anxiousness, excitement and nervousness. As there was heat wave in the area we knew that the hike was going to be more battling the heat than battling the trail. Having previously hiked Washington and have had my fair share of time in the Whites, I knew what the trail had in store for me but Katie was nervous but confident.

The eve of Seek the Peak we went through our gear together, said what we needed and didn’t need. Extra water and electrolyte were key in addition to our trail food. For me chocolate and peanut butter and granola for her. Clothing was laid out shoes were ready and our packs were packed. “I’m nervous”-Katie

The day has come! My countless amount of trips up and down the auto road stairs while on shift were ready to be tested. Katie’s countless trips up and down the Harvard coliseum stairs were ready to be tested. We were ready. We had a 4:30am alarm. Woke up, fueled up and were ready to get on trail. 6:00am arrival at Pinkham notch and we were anxious to start.

After stopping at the MWOBS tent and chatting for a bit we were on the trail at 6:15am. The plan was Tuckermans to Lions Head. The pace was quick as I took the lead. We passed everyone in front and were off to a blistering start. We got an hour in before we took a quick snack break. “How much further do we have to go?” Katie said. I responded with a point directly up to the summit followed by saying “we have nothing to lose and everything to gain!” We pressed on at a great pace.

Two and a half hours in total, we were standing there West Virginia flag in hands at the summit sign. She was so excited screaming how awesome it was. We took our pictures, and then the summit cleared. There was nothing like it. After spending many shifts up here knowing what the views look like. This was my favorite one as I was able to see the excitement in my sister face after what we had just accomplished. We Seeked the Peak!

John King, Summit Intern

Thoughts from the Newest Observer

2019-07-27 09:57:32.000 – AJ Grimes, Weather Observer

Hello everyone, my name is AJ Grimes and I am the newest Weather Observer up on the summit. Some of you may recognize me from my time working in the Observatory’s summit museum from 2012 to 2017, but if not I’ll share a little bit about myself. I’m from Milford, Massachusetts but have spent enough time in New Hampshire throughout my life to call it my second home. I earned my Bachelors in Environmental Studies from the University of Central Florida and my Masters in Environmental Studies focusing on Atmospheric Science from the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. When I’m not on the summit, you can typically find me behind the drum kit playing for my heavy metal band, in the kitchen baking desserts, or playing with my two Norwegian Forest cats.

My first shift back with the Observatory last week was a delightful whirlwind of processing new information, meeting the new members of the crew, and reconnecting with old friends. I spent a large portion of the shift shadowing Tom (our shift leader, Weather Observer and Education Specialist) and learning how weather observations are taken on Mount Washington. Due to the mountaintop location of our weather station, a few special procedures must be followed here that other stations may not consider. For example, either we frequently observe clouds that are partially or completely below the summit, which are coded and reported differently than clouds passing overhead. An observer working at a ground level weather station would never need to report clouds below their feet, making this one of the unique situations that observers need to account for on Mount Washington.

Now on my second shift, I’m settling into the groove of taking observations every hour and readjusting to life on the summit. One crew member that has affectionately welcomed me back is Marty the summit cat! Marty used to come visit me in the museum on quiet mornings, but since he would vanish when the large crowds arrived, we didn’t get to spend much time together. Now that I spend most of my day in the weather room (one of his favorite hangouts), he has grown accustomed to hopping up on my lap whenever he pleases. His presence helps this remote station feel more like home, and helps me deal with being away from my own cats for a week at a time.

It feels great to be back at the pinnacle of New England and I look forward to the all the experiences and adventures that await!

AJ Grimes, Weather Observer

A Year Ago Today

2019-07-26 08:11:26.000 – Anna Smith, Summit Intern

July 12, 2019

A year ago today.

It’s a phrase that floods our social media these days, but we don’t always think about it. Where were we? What were we doing? Was the Mountain in the clouds then, too? Probably, it is a majority of the time but, hey, maybe a year ago today was a special day. I know it was for me.

It’s a Friday, and a dreary one at that. Rain and fog fill the air, and winds are just high enough to feel slightly less than pleasant on exposed skin. But it’s a busy day nonetheless. Twenty-two people are coming up from the base, looking to see what the Obs is all about. The NEPARS group is on its way.

The Northeast Partnership for Atmospheric and Related Sciences (NEPARS) is a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU… yes the acronyms are largely over now) jointly run by Plymouth State University and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. As a summer program meant to broaden student understanding of research and career opportunities in meteorology, climatology, and similar sciences, the REU not only gives students the chance to perform research, but additionally provides opportunities to go to different places to see where these studies can be applied, places including the one and only Mount Washington.

My apologies, apparently there are a few Mount Washingtons in other states. I’m referring to the one this website is about. Back to the blog.

The scents of spicy chili, sweet cornbread, and sugar cookies already fill the kitchen as the volunteers prepare the group’s lunch. Tom prepares a few words of wisdom and knowledge as the education specialist on the mountain. AJ practices another ob and then gets ready to help students up to the parapet. John looks over a webpage over sling psychrometers one more time to ensure he can explain how observations are done. Emma looks over the schedule again and races to the museum and I run through the speech on Mount Washington’s weather, MWOBS research, and daily operations one more time.

Educate, investigate, operate. Let’s go.

The group walks in and after splitting up into three subgroups, the tours begin. John brings a few to the Observation Deck, another set is brought downstairs to the living quarters, and the rest stay with me. We look at the topographical map which illustrates why Mount Washington faces such severe weather, the Weather Wall with its exciting Hays Chart spinning in circles, and out the window to see if the clouds have cleared at all (the answer is no). Some of the students stare wide-eyed at pictures of rime ice, and I can’t help but smile, knowing I felt the same way almost exactly one year ago. I’ve given this tour many times now but I’ve been on it too, and the last time was as a member of the very same REU.

A year ago I was doing research in Plymouth, working with Mount Washington’s weather data for my project. Seventeen college students in desperate need of coffee made the same early morning drive in July, 2018. On the tower, my research partner and I stood wide-eyed at the pitot tube that was providing the wind data our research relied on. I had been on the mountain before and had always looked for an opportunity to participate at the observatory, but this visit gave me a chance to talk with the interns and observers, learn more about experiences and programs during the summer season, and understand the daily life of an intern. With those discussions, there was no question about what I wanted my next summer to be.

Now, because of this internship, the inner workings of a pitot tube are no longer a mystery. Forecasting takes two hours rather than three and a half (though I still need Tom to check every time), and the significance of these forecasts is now more than just a blurb on the Obs website. Talking with hikers, volunteers, and the State Park, interns gain a greater appreciation for the importance of interpreting models and radars. Seeing rime ice for ourselves emphasizes why MWObs is staffed 24/7. Giving tours, we test our own knowledge while sharing with others what happens behind the scenes. I can share this love for the mountains and weather with the REU. Climbing up to the parapet, sharing pictures of rime and snowmen on Jefferson, explaining the extremes, talking about playing in hurricane-force gusts… I’m glad to see that some of them are as excited as I was. Up here, no day is the same; they are as unique as the phenomena we witness.

Experiences like these open doors, teach lessons, shape personalities. This internship has already provided its fair share of eye-opening sights and, when there’s nothing to see but white, certainly mind-opening conversations.

A year ago today. Makes you wonder about a year from now.

Anna Smith, Summit Intern

Instrumentation by the Decade: the 60s

2019-07-23 22:32:43.000 – Charlie Peachey, IT Intern

As projects for the military began to wind down in the early 1960’s, several more projects began. The opening on the summit enabled Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to step in with their own research. Collaboration with MIT goes back almost to the beginning of the Observatory itself. MIT contributed their help over the years to help make the observatory a successful research station. By lending everything from personnel to equipment, they set up a partnership that still continues to this day. The picture below is from the December 1962 issue of WindSwept.

The MIT research started in the early 60’s with the development of the “Radome”. The Radome was a spherical structure that covered the radar so it wouldn’t be damaged in the summit’s extreme weather. It had a diameter of 31 feet and was placed about 200 yards from the summit. The first test of this new system came during the winter of 1960-1961. The Radome spent an entire winter battling the conditions before it was proved to be a success. Following that winter, the Radome was brought down from the summit and transported over 160 miles away to the roof of the Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA. This cutting edge research soon spread nationwide as most meteorological radars today are still based off of this design. The first photograph below is of the Radome at the summit during its first winter. The second photo is of a modern-day radar courtesy of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and NOAA.

As the 60’s progressed, MIT began work on another new research project at the summit. What started out as a project to study lasers turned into a cloud observation instrument that is typically found on most airport weather stations. After developing the Radome, MIT researchers had a well-rounded understanding of lasers and their applications to meteorology. This proved to be useful in the development of their new laser instrument. Their new laser was designed to be beamed into the clouds in order to understand their structure. MIT spent years shooting lasers into clouds in order to compare the response to a day with clear skies. Observing both scenarios allowed them to compare the different signals and understand the different sizes of cloud droplets and at what altitude they occur in the atmosphere. It was the first time that meteorologists were able to study a cloud from the inside.

Much like the Radome, the new laser was the beginning of a new type of instrument that is used daily in modern observations. It gave birth to our modern-day group of Cloud Height Indicators, which work in a very similar way by also shooting laser beams into clouds to get data on cloud height. It has proved useful in modern radar observations to determine droplet sizes in clouds, as well.

The first image below is of the original MIT built laser with a diagram from Mount Washington Observatory: the first 45 years 1932-1977. The second image is of a modern-day cloud height indicator (also known as a Ceilometer) and it is from All Weather, Inc.

The 60’s also brought another unofficial mascot to the summit. Herman was a type of Ermine and was also quickly well received by the staff. He may not have been a fierce mouser like various cats before him, but he was a nice companion in the Observatory. The article below is from a June 1965 issue of WindSwept.

Charlie Peachey, IT Intern

Behind the Scenes: Intern Research

2019-07-21 07:39:41.000 – Austin Patrick, Summit Intern

Research is one of the many tasks that interns such as myself are given as part of our time up on the Summit. It tends to be one of the more time extensive tasks as forecasting may take hours and other tasks like writing this blog may take forty-five minutes or more if you count the writer’s block. Research extends over the whole summer. Everyone will be able to see the research we produce on August 14th at the Weather Discovery Center, but no one really knows the process that leads up to the big presentation, so how about a look behind curtains? Let me give you guys a view into the weeks of research as the project begins to wind down.

Me and Ben Charles have a unique project that has allowed us to obtain our data by going outside and withstanding the elements. For the last four weeks, we have gone out with our handheld instruments and went onto the observatory deck as well as the top of the tower in order to run tests. We have been through a multitude of weather scenarios. One of the first weeks of research we were confronted with winds nearing seventy-five miles per hour and blowing water. No number of layers of rain jackets and wind pants can keep you dry when you’re out there for an extended amount of time. We also have experienced a microburst of around eighty miles per hour as well as a day clouded by haze through smoke from wildfires that smelled anything but pleasant. In some of those events, we are dreading the conditions, but it also allows us to get out of our office chairs to do work and add variety to our day.

After measurements are taken, the next step is calculations. Through the past couple of weeks, we have learned the ins and outs of Excel and Google Sheets. We are also glad that we paid attention to all the statistics classes we took in college as normal distribution and RMSE have become words in our regular day vocabulary. Every now and then we will experience the mathematical version of “writer’s block” which is usually solved by an afternoon dose of caffeine.

The final step in our week with research is the presentation right before we leave the mountain. At first, it was intimidating as we in the presence of people who are veteran scientists like the observers, Summit directors, and research mentors, but it was a temporary feeling as it is through these presentations we get offered advice and direction on what to do next week. With a final jotting of notes and comments from others, we end our week and prepare to pick back up the work the following Wednesday.

Austin Patrick, Summit Intern

Heating Up for Seek the Peak!

2019-07-18 17:07:43.000 – Ian Bailey, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

We are officially less than 24 hours away from Seek the Peak 2019!!!!

The Observatory is buzzing with excited energy as everyone is cranked into 10th gear and finishing preparations. The valley staff is in full swing setting things up for the Kick Off Party and Hiking Expo at the base. And the summit crew is working hard as well, getting the Observatory prepped for tours, baking cookies and, of course, monitoring the weather for the event.

Speaking of which, the weather is looking fantastic for the next couple of days, albeit very hot! Let’s take a look at what’s going to be going on for the next 48 hours!

Weather Predicition Center Outlook for Friday 1:00 pm

Conditions appear to be mostly clear for those looking to hike tomorrow! While there is a Hudson Bay Low looking to swing its warm front through the region, it seems like the system will hold off until the later afternoon hours. So it’s looking like it’ll be a mostly clear day, with increasing cloud cover progressing later through the afternoon. And with the warm front on approach, more moisture will be building into the region. Dew points will be on the rise, so it’ll likely be a fairly muggy day in the woods as well. Which brings me to the most important weather note for the weekend ahead.

It’s going to be hot. Quite hot.

GFS Surface Temperature Forecast for Friday 1:00 pm

With a weak low level jet built up across the Mid-Atlantic, a large amount of hot, moist air is being brought up from the Gulf of Mexico. This heat wave, which has been slowly on approach from the Great Plains for the last few days, will finally be cresting into the region, just in time for our Hike-a-Thon! As such, Friday’s daytime high temperature should crest just above 90 degrees, with a heat index approaching 100 degrees. The summit will likely be in and out of the fog, with temperatures climbing into the low 60’s. So while things will be a bit cooler at elevation, it’s looking to be quite steamy for those starting off in the valley.

GFS Surface Temperature Forecast for Saturday 1:00 pm

There is a slight chance for some rain Friday night into early Saturday morning, which would help disperse some of the incoming moisture. But despite conditions appearing to be a bit less muggy for Saturday, it’s going to be slightly hotter for the big event. Skies should be clearing into the later morning hours, with any lingering fog on the summit lifting off as well. So there will be plenty of daytime heating, with the Northeast firmly locked into the warm sector of the departing Hudson Bay low.

At lower elevations, the daytime high temperature will likely crest into into the upper 90’s, with the heat index approaching 105 degrees and light winds. On the summit, temperatures will be climbing into the 60’s, with winds between 25-40 mph to blow off a little bit of the heat. It’s going to be hotter than normal across the board, and we may even break an all-time record if temperatures linger above 60 degrees throughout the period!

So since it’s going to be so stinking hot, it would be wise to review some safe hiking practices related to hot weather to make sure everyone has a safe and wonderful hike this weekend!

1. The key here will be staying hydrated! Bring plenty of water for your hike. Bring extra water so you are sure not to run out! Sweating will be essential to help your body stay as cool as possible for your climb up.

2. Starting earlier in the day might be wise, as temperatures will be slightly cooler earlier in the morning before daytime heating really ramps up. If you can start your hike in the morning, you may be able to avoid the hottest part of the day.

3. Make sure to wear sunscreen! Getting sun burnt will certainly not be helpful in conditions as hot as they will be. And while it may seem counter-intuitive, covering up and wearing light layers that are breathable will help quite a bit. Especially on your head and neck, which will be the most exposed on your hike!

4. Pack some salty snacks! Some good trail mix, nuts, etc. It’s important to keep your electrolytes up, as you’ll be losing plenty of them through sweat. They are essential for keeping your energy up, and you can even pack drink mixes to help manage this.

5. Know your limits! Make sure to take plenty of breaks and not push yourself harder than you can handle. Heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke will very much be a reality (both of which you should look into before your hike!) with temperatures that high! So make sure you a prepared, and know that it is a-o-k to turn around and head back to the base if it is getting to be too much! I hear the Hiking Expo and After Party at the base is going to be plenty of fun anyway!!!

So make sure to prepare properly for how hot it’s going to be. Despite the heat, it’s looking to be a beautiful weekend to get out and enjoy nature. This year’s Seek the Peak is going to be a blast, and you definitely wont want to miss out! So stay tuned, check the weather, and get ready for an awesome weekend of hiking ahead! Hopefully we’ll see you here on the summit on Saturday!

Ian Bailey, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

‘Twas the Night Before Shift Change

2019-07-16 08:42:59.000 – Emma Penafiel, Summit Intern

T’was the night before shift change, when all through the MWobs,

Not a creature was stirring, except Ryan taking the obs*.

The weather room was clean through Tom’s survey and care,

In anticipation that the next shift would soon be there.

The interns were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of data swirled in their heads.

Nikki, Tom, and AJ changed into PJs early that night

While our two volunteers turned off the last light.

When on the bedside there came a beep beep,

As everyone awoke from their deep sleep.

The morning had come, the sun risen while they slept.

Ryan would need some sleep and into bed he leapt.

The sun’s glares were blocked by a milky white cloud

As the weather room and den** started to crowd.

“This is 2-0,” John repeated as he did hut call

And I rush through the walk around, running into a wall.

Anna went through her presentation, making last minute changes.

But it all stopped with radio static and verbal exchanges.

Becca’s voice broke through, telling them “We’re headed up.”

The interns raced to their rooms for a last minute cleanup.

Twenty minutes go by and they’re past cow pasture,

The vans drive to the doors, giant in stature.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But the next shift all ready, covered in gear.

Groceries, baggage, and trash, oh my!

Our downgoing gear was all piled high.

Shifting meeting in 10, greetings had ended,

The pantry was crowded as restocking was over-attended.

First came a brief forecast as we packed in like sardines,

Then came the shift change agenda, a well oiled machine.

Another 10 minutes and the screens are changed,

The interns present, data now neatly arranged.

Mentors comment and new ideas are formed,

Soon, “We’ll be heading out in 30,” we are informed.

Ryan is awoken and readies himself to leave,

We jump in the car and can hardly believe

That the shift week had ended and we’re leaving the cloud

To go back to our homes away from the foggy shroud.

* The obs is the hourly observations that our observers make

** The den is where the interns all work

Emma Penafiel, Summit Intern

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