Historical Posts Archives - Page 6 of 378 - Mount Washington Observatory

May 2021

From the Panhandle to the Presidential Range

2021-05-25 17:19:01.000 – Alex Branton, Summit Intern

Hello, my name is Alexandra (Alex) Branton and I am so excited to be interning with the Mount Washington Observatory this summer! The summit is a huge change of scenery for me, as I am from the panhandle of Florida. I have just completed my junior year studying aviation meteorology and air traffic control at the Florida Institute of Technology. My hobbies include running, hiking, climbing, paddle boarding, watching New Girl, and almost anything outside. I recently ran in the Florida Marathon this past February and thru hiked the 216-mile John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. I was so lucky to grow up in an area that receives so much interesting weather and is home to exciting military aviation, thus inspiring my route of study. Tropical weather initially sparked my curiosity for meteorology, as Pensacola is heavily affected by it. When Hurricane Katrina was striking the gulf coast, I was five years old and was awestruck as the storm was blowing through. I desperately wanted to go outside during the peak intensity of the storm and decided to open the door. I was swept off my feet as the door quickly swung open and I held on to the handle for dear life. My dad pulled me inside, the door was broken, my parents were frightened, but I was exhilarated. I still get that unique feeling of excitement every time I see a cyclone beginning to form, when there is a chance of severe thunderstorms, or an interesting cloud is floating in the sky. One phenomenon I have only barely experienced is snow, and there is still some on the ground at the summit of Mount Washington.

I did not know what to expect as I began my first week interning at the observatory. I got a little apprehensive when observer Nicole Tallman said, “you’re basically signing up to be stranded at the top of a mountain,” but as my first shift is coming to a close, I have felt anything but stranded. I find myself unable to pull my eyes away from the mountains in the distance and have had good company with fellow intern Maddie and observers Nicole, Sam, and David. I have already learned so much from them, like how to forecast as well as how to take accurate meteorological observations, and I cannot wait to learn more. Although we haven’t gotten much interesting weather yet, I got to experience a 78 mph gust while out on the deck and got to see ice form on the ground after a night of below freezing temperatures−something I am not used to. I also enjoy witnessing visitors’ excitement and wonder as they peer across the ridges in the distance or trudge across the deck in high winds. Moreover, I am eager to share my passion for the weather with visitors in the Extreme Mount Washington museum when it opens. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to experience what it is like to live at the home of the world’s worst weather and to contribute to the observatory’s mission of advancing the understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

Alex Branton, Summit Intern

Mountains aren’t funny…

2021-05-17 12:20:59.000 – A.J. Mastrangelo, Summit Intern

They’re hill areas.

Greetings all and now that that’s out of my system, my name is A.J. Mastrangelo and I could not be more excited to be a summit intern with the Observatory for this summer! Although I am originally from Massachusetts, I’m no stranger to the White Mountains as I have spent a great deal of time in the region year-round since I was a kid. Currently a rising senior at Penn State University, I am a meteorology major with a concentration in weather forecasting and communications. Some of my favorite hobbies include Skiing, Boating, Hiking, Photography and Storm Chasing. Hailing from New England, I am also a diehard Boston sports with a soft spot for Tom Brady and his Buccaneers squad.

Intern A.J. Mastrangelo on the observatory tower

Ever since I was a young kid, I have wanted to work on the summit of Mount Washington. As it does for many, I was drawn by the extreme weather and incredible scenery that accompanies the summit. Although clouds and fog may be more prevalent in the summertime up here, I look forward to the clear days and observing the unique meteorological phenomena that occur at the summit. So far on the summit I have been learning the basics about taking meteorological observations here at the summit and there is definitely a lot more to it than I had originally thought. Becoming familiar with the nearby mountains and ridges to determine visibility is just one of the aspects unique to the observation process up here and something that I will have to become more familiar with. I have also been working with fellow observers to create forecasts and discussions for both the summit and valley. While my workload has not been too bad during my first week here, I appreciated the time to get used to living in this unique environment. I look forward to the projects to come, in addition to the visitors coming in the next few weeks once the Sherman Adams State Park building and our Extreme Mount Washington Museum open to the public.

While I was greeted by blowing snow and foggy conditions for my first day on the summit, skies cleared the following morning revealed a picturesque sunrise. I took this picture just as the sunlight began to clear the horizon as virga (precipitation that doesn’t reach the ground) fell from distant altocumulus cloud. The sight was truly spectacular for me… but only registered as a 3/10 event for fellow veteran observer Ryan Knapp. I guess that means there is a lot more to see here on the summit and I can’t wait!

Distant virga as the sun begins to rise

A.J. Mastrangelo, Summit Intern

Summer Changes

2021-05-03 13:55:24.000 – Nicole Tallman, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

As we approach the warmer months, relatively speaking, the summit has begun some of the prep for summer! The first in line on our list of transitions was roping off an area on the observation deck. This is done to prevent damage to our very valuable instruments. There is a list of changes that occur in the months to come including removing our winter storm windows from the weather room and offices. This is an extra layer of protection that we install to protect our primary windows from scratches or damage from flying debris. These windows will be removed soon once we feel the risk of flying ice is low! We will also be roping off the area surrounding our precipitation can as well as swapping our larger winter precip can for a shorter summer can. We rope this area off again for the protection of our instruments and data! There are also various heat tapes and heaters that will be turned down or removed as the temperatures start to rise. Lastly, our well known red parapet will get a fresh coat of paint as well as our white thermoshack. The white color to the thermoshack ensures that heat is not absorbed by the box, influencing the temperatures being read. These are all some of the changes on the instrumentation side of things.

Painting the parapet red a few summers ago

There will also be changes to come with staffing and procedures. For one, we will be getting interns soon! With the warmer season comes many new tasks which interns are able to provide a hand. Not only do our interns help us with weather observations, forecasting, broadcasting, research and other weather-related tasks, they also lend a hand in our summit museum. The museum will be opening this year however protocols and operations will be different than in past years. Stay tuned for more updates on protocol!

Summer ropes installed on the deck to protect our instruments

The New Hampshire State Park, Mount Washington Auto Road and Cog railway will all be opening soon. Check their individual websites linked above for more information on their opening dates, procedures and protocols. Please, also be sure to check the higher summits forecast and, AMC backcountry trail conditions before hiking to the summit. We are excited to be entering the summer and look forward to all the changes to come!

Nicole Tallman, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

Local Partners to help you Seek Your Peak this Summer

2021-04-27 13:22:02.000 – Stephanie Fitzgerald, Director of Development

Winter may have returned to the summit last week, but those of us at lower elevations are thinking of warmer days ahead. Many of our members and friends have been reaching out about when to visit and what conditions are like in the mountains. For Obs staff, the warmer weather of shoulder season means Seek the Peak is just around the corner.

Seek the Peak is our largest annual fundraiser and this year we have expanded our Expo on Saturday, July 17th at Great Glen Trails to include live music, food trucks and a fantastic group of organizations and companies for our vendor village. Anchored by presenting sponsors Eastern Mountain Sports, Oboz and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center – the vendor village will include sponsors as well as local non-profits who will be showcasing their gear, leading clinics and sharing their mission and work with you.

Many of these organizations can be very helpful as you make plans to hike, run, bike, or paddle your way around New Hampshire this summer. We are so grateful to be working with such an amazing group of outdoor professionals who help keep you and our natural resources safe! A few to check out are: White Mountain Trail Collective, New Hampshire Outdoor Council, Granite Outdoor Alliance, and of course the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC).

If you are looking for specific information about traveling up Mount Washington, below are a few resources for communicating directly with our summit partners. And always remember that summer in the valley can still mean winter conditions at the summit, so keep an eye on the weather with our higher summits forecast and current conditions.

Mount Washington State Park: Sherman Adams Summit Building, Concession, & Tip Top Historic Site

Mt. Washington State Park, operating hours are available HERE. Hours are subject to change, so please check their page and/or contact them directly for their most current information.

Mt. Washington Auto Road:

Information for the Mt. Washington Road can be found on their website HERE and their schedule of operations is available HERE. Hours are subject to change, so please check their page, their social media pages, and/or contact them directly for their most current information.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway:

Information for the Mount Washington Cog Railway can be found on their website HERE (link: ) and their schedule of operations is available HERE. Hours of operation are subject to change, so please check their page, their social media pages, and/or contact them directly for the most current.

Stephanie Fitzgerald, Director of Development

Visibility from Summit Appears to be Increasing Over Time

2021-04-21 10:21:46.000 – Charlie Buterbaugh, Development Coordinator

Weather Observer Sam Robinson stands above the clouds in December 2020. Observers record prevailing visibility at each of their 24 hourly observations, every day of the year.

Weather Observers Jay Broccolo and Sam Robinson recently completed an analysis of Mount Washington Observatory’s (MWO) long-term visibility records, studying continuous data collected at the summit’s unique vantage point.

Their exploration grew out of public and staff interest, initially related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the environment. Back in spring 2020, our staff fielded a number of inquiries asking if the weather observers on the summit were able to see farther than usual due to the global reductions in industry, transportation and overall aerosol emissions. It was a tricky question to answer, because in order to respond with any confidence, one would have to know what “usual” visibility is, and would certainly require a lot of visibility data over time to compare against.

After completing an initial data exploration and analysis of MWO’s long-term visibility records, Broccolo, Robinson, and MWO’s Director of Science & Education Brian Fitzgerald, have just published their project report, “A Data Exploration of Visibility at Mount Washington Observatory (1943-2020), KWMN: Key Findings.”

“Visibility appears to be generally increasing over time on the summit of Mount Washington since continuous observation of visibility began in 1943,” Fitzgerald said.

So how is visibility measured? Our weather observers record something known as “prevailing visibility” at every single hourly observation, both day and night, by determining which known landmarks and distances they can see on the horizon. As the highest point in the Northeast with a treeless summit, Mount Washington’s position allows for an unobstructed view in all directions (provided you’re not in a cloud). The naked-eye view from Mount Washington can reach up to 130 miles to Mt. Marcy in NY, for example, 79 miles to Camel’s Hump in VT, or 67 miles to the Atlantic Ocean off the Maine coast. At night, observers use many of the same natural features plus the lights of known locations to assess visibility.

A map of concentric circles around the summit with visibility markers indicated. The inner-most circle is 20 miles, while the outer-most circle is 130 miles away.

For context, most weather stations that report visibility are at airports with automated instrumentation to help pilots and traffic controllers assess take-off and landing conditions. Visibility at these stations will only report up to 10 miles as the highest value of interest.

“The value of MWO’s long-term visibility records is immense,” Fitzgerald said, adding, “No other record of similar location, length, resolution or quality truly exists, which makes it a tremendous asset for studying the relationships between visibility and air quality over time in Northern New England.”

Broccolo and Robinson examined seasonal and annual average lowest prevailing visibility to explore what long-term trends or anomalies may have been present. The initial analysis appears to show a steady increase in visibility since the 1950s, and then increasing at a higher rate starting in the early 2000s. Whether average visibility was found to be increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was not easily discernible.

“The next steps would be to analyze the data deeper and corroborate the findings with other measurements,” said Broccolo. “Further statistical analysis is required to show the quality of data. Measurements of air quality affecting particulates at a similar geographic location and elevations or the development of a measuring system at the summit of Mt. Washington would also be of interest in order to compare visibility and air quality.”

An article written by Fitzgerald will appear in the summer 2021 edition of Windswept: The Bulletin of the Mount Washington Observatory, covering additional details about the study’s methodology, results including seasonal visibility variation, and questions for future exploration.

Funding is needed to support additional researchers, research support staff and interns to extend this new-found knowledge and help us investigate possible linkages between visibility, air quality, human health, and our changing climate. Learn more about our current projects and help us continue scientific investigation with a donation to our Spring Appeal.

Contributed by our Weather Observers

Charlie Buterbaugh, Development Coordinator

Big Wind Day 2021

2021-04-12 14:41:54.000 – Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer/Meteorologist

In years past, this annual blog post has taken a scientific approach and described the overall weather pattern of the system that brought several 220+ mph and two 231 mph wind gusts out of the SE, which is a relatively uncommon flow pattern. Each, from a slightly different perspective, which over time, has built quite a robust history of the event on our Blog. There are three, in particular, that stands out to me written in recent years, and after these brief synopsis’, I encourage you to go back and read them as well. There is a lot to appreciate about that day, now 87 years ago, and I found this to be an opportunity to appreciate more than just one or two aspects of what occurred then.

The first was written last year, the 86^th Anniversary of the “Big Wind”, Dr. Eric Kelsey. I found this post to be of interest to me because it makes the connection between the instruments, the effort involved with maintaining the instruments during such an event, the calibration, and the process of verification of this world-breaking wind gust record. The article begins with a synopsis of the weather event and how it evolved, which is not dissimilar to how some systems continue to form to this day, but each system is unique and this one packed one heck of a wallop to the summit of Mount Washington (figure 1). “The skies just two days before were crystal clear and the winds were unusually light. Around sunset offered the first harbinger of the storm to come: reddish cirrus clouds to the west and a pair of sundogs. Those cirrus clouds were advancing eastward from an extratropical cyclone of moderate intensity tracking eastward through the Great Lakes. On 11 April, it moved into southern Canada while a stronger secondary low developed off the mid-Atlantic coast. Concurrently, a high pressure center retreating northeastward from Maine into the Canadian Maritimes also strengthened and became stationary over Labrador, which increased the pressure gradient between the coastal low and the high.

Figure 1: Sea-level pressure analysis valid 9:00 a.m. EST on 12 April 1934 just hours before the 231 mph gust. A low pressure system centered just south of New England intensified and tracked slowly northwestward during the day. From the U.S. Weather Bureau (now the National Weather Service).

A third feature became involved and may have been the critical disturbance to intensify the summit winds to over 200 mph. A weak low pressure system just northwest of Bermuda tracked northwestward and was absorbed by the developing coastal cyclone south of New England. The merging of these two cyclones increased the strength of its circulation and the southeast winds to its north across New England. With the blocking high pressure over Labrador preventing the typical northeast advancement of the cyclone, the pressure gradient tightened across New England and produced over 24 hours of winds over 100 mph at the summit Mount Washington.”

Another feature of this system is the length of flow from the southeast to northwest, and the slight dip towards the southwest in the lines of equal pressure, isobars (figure 1). Flow generally moves along these lines. Given the distance and described temperatures changes in the next article, these winds had ample time and energy to build as energy was absorbed from the water of the springtime warming Atlantic. Then, there appears to be a dip and tightening of the isobars above northern New England, which would likely nudge them even higher.

Following the weather synopsis, the article goes on to explain the happenings of the events, and what actually went into the recording of the 231-mph wind gust. De-icing the Heated Number 2 anemometer (figure 2) in winds over 150 mph, prior to the record wind gust, I find it hard to imagine, even as one of the current observers on the summit. The difficulties Sal Pagliuca, Alex McKenzie, and Wendell Stephenson (“Steve”) must have dealt with astound and also motivate me.

Figure 2: MWO Observers Alexander McKenzie (left) and Sal Pagliuca (right) check the tension of the guy wires on the Heated Number 2 anemometer.

The second blog post I’d like to bring your attention to was written in 2018, “Big Wind Day” by past Weather Observer, Taylor Regan. This article, I appreciate because it delves into the depths of the daily weather maps of the time period and quoted some of the observations made from around the eastern US. The following from Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 12, 1934 – 8 A.M. (E.S.T.); “A disturbance of great intensity is central this morning over Connecticut, New Haven, 29.26 inches. Pressure is high from the Rocky Mountain region eastward to the Mississippi Valley, Rapid City, S. Dak., 30.54 inches.” Regan also took snippets from the observer logbook and quoted Sal Pagliuca “I dropped all other activities and concentrated on observations. Everyone in the house was ‘mobilized’ as during a war attack and assigned a job. The instruments were watched continuously so that they may give a continuous and accurate record of the various meteorological elements at work. The anemometer was particularly watched. A full tank of gasoline made us feel good.“ -Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca. The intent and conciseness of the above quote really describe the seriousness of the day. Another quote stands out to me due to its caring nature for the integrity of data and I extrapolate to the character as well; “Will they believe it?’ was our first thought. I felt then the full responsibility of that startling measurement. Was my timing correct? Was the method OK? Was the calibration curve right? Was the stopwatch accurate?” -Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca. Questioning yourself after such an event, I believe, to a natural thing to do when you truly care about the integrity of your work.

The last article I want to bring your attention to is not the least important one, but just the one I read last in this set of three as I went through the years. “Will They Believe It?”: The Story of Big Wind Day – past Weather Observer, Mike Carmon brought the previous two full circle and back to the present day, which I found to be a fascinating experience. It made me think about the more intricate and personal experiences of the Observers, two friends of Sal’s and three cats with a litter of 5 kittens less than a week old.

It is hard to imagine what a 231-mph wind gust sounds and feels like. I imagine it from my own perspective, which is from the inside of a building constructed around 45+ years later, at a different location on the summit. The Mount Washington Observatory leases space on the NW end of the New Hampshire Mount Washington State Park, Sherman Adams Building. My own experience with high winds is from this perspective; a more modern (40-year-old building with a complete heating system, reinforced concrete walls, and windows that should be able to withstand 300-mph winds. Having said that, it’s not like high winds don’t have an effect on the Sherman Adams Building. High winds have multiple impacts on the buildings and structures on the summit and what I find so interesting are the different effects that wind direction has.

The predominant flow regime over the summit of Mount Washington is from the W, with the second most common flow regime from the NW. The current instrument tower is positioned in the NW quadrant as the most northwestern structure on the summit. The positioning of the Observatory and the instrument tower is thought to be the most accurate position to record the predominant flow over the summit. Back on April 12^th, 1934, the day the infamous 231-mph Big Wind occurred, the Observatory was positioned on the SE quadrant of the summit with obstacles such as a hotel to the west and southwest of the Observatory. It was an A-Frame style roof, constructed of beams with wood shingles as the exterior. The small structure (figure 3), was the kitchen, their sleeping and dining quarters, their work station (figure 4), their maintenance workspace, their heating space, drying space. Everything was done in the building below. The Sherman Adams Building gets pretty cold in high winds and cold temperatures. During some events, it can be difficult for the weather room, and the rest of the building to maintain heat. I can only imagine how difficult it was to maintain the heat in the early 1930s structure with winds in excess of 200 mph pulling the heat right out. Or any of the tasks that current observers complete today, but 87 years ago.

Figure 3: Unknown observers tending to their duties in the original Observatory building.

Figure 4: Data being recorded into a logbook at a workstation inside.

All three of the blog posts discussed in this years “Big Wind” celebration blog post, exhibit varying aspects pertaining to the storm system, the instruments and grueling work involved in their maintenance, the integrity and quality of the data through its verification process, and what those fabled three observers went through and felt throughout April 12^th, 1934. I hope I helped to encompass all of these qualities in this year’s “Big Wind” blog post. To this day, the 231-mph wind gust stands as the fastest wind speed that has ever been observed and recorded by humans.

Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer/Meteorologist

How Will You Seek Your Peak During Seek the Peak?

2021-04-08 08:39:21.000 – Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer/Meteorologist

Seek the Peak is ramping up and the event, this year and in the future, will be much more of a Mount Washington Adventure Expo featuring many human-powered sports. Seek the Peak, is the Mount Washington Observatory’s largest and grandest annual fundraising event and has, in the past 20 years, been about getting out and hiking in support of the Observatory. It is through this important event and member support that critical funds are raised to enable the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory to provide a range of forecasts that adventure seekers in the region use to make informed decisions on any kind of recreation in the White Mountains. We are keen on enhancing the experience that is Seek the Peak and want to bring everyone who shares this passion together in support of the White Mountains and the Mount Washington Observatory. This year’s event will showcase what Mount Washington Valley has to offer, and will provide resources to encourage safe and responsible use of our natural resources. Supporters of the event reach far and wide, from our member and volunteer base, to many partners such as the Mt. Washington Auto Road, the Mt. Washington State Park, the Cog Railway, Oboz Footwear, Eastern Mountain Sports, and many more recreational organizations, nonprofits and businesses that make up the Mount Washington Valley, at the core of these organizations, is a passion for our community and the outdoors.

The Mission of Seek Your Peak is to cultivate and sustain connection to and stewardship of the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory and White Mountains Region. These goals will be achieved by utilizing our natural spaces in a responsible manner in order to create a wide-range of adventures on our trails, cliffs, and waterways. By leveraging our community’s passion for discovery and exploration we will simultaneously build capacity in support of the critical mission of the observatory. Whether you are a new explorer or a seasoned trailblazer we want you to join us in the outdoors in our amazing playground encapsulated in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. To support this initiative, my coworker Charlie and I are working with others to develop a well-rounded archive of destinations, guide services, vendors and gear shops; a guide book of sorts on how to plan your adventure. In the guide book you will find a range of activities and destinations from hiking and climbing to paddling and biking. Fancy some fishing? Then check out the guide for some fishing spots and where to get the gear and what permits may be required. The guide will be full of some of the Observatory’s staff’s favorite destinations as well! All really exciting stuff and we hope you all think so as well. One of Seek the Peak’s volunteers and fundraisers from last year, Christina, sure seems to think so.

Christina Cozzens, volunteer and fund raiser, enjoying her hike during Seek the Peak in 2019.

Seek Your Peak – Mount Washington’s Adventure Expo will set up base camp at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham where participants and others can come and hear from the experts, learn all about available guide services, and see the latest and greatest gear from Eastern Mountain Sports, Oboz Footwear, and many others, all in support of the White Mountains and the Mount Washington Observatory. I hope to see you there! Be sure to register for the Adventure Expo and find the latest information on Seek Your Peak, follow here at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/stp2021/. Until July, enjoy the warming conditions and if you are heading out before the event, always check the weather prior to starting your adventure at https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx.

Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer/Meteorologist

Roller Coaster Weather Week

2021-03-31 09:20:05.000 – David DeCou, Night Observer

There is never a dull day on the summit of Mount Washington and so far this shift has certainly kept the excitement going. We have had rain, snow, ice pellets, fog, sunshine, high winds, low winds, rime ice, glaze ice, thunderstorms and everything in between! Just after experiencing record low temperatures and wind chills below -70°F during my previous shift, we started the week off to some of the warmest summit temperatures in months. We arrived on Wednesday with temperatures above the freezing mark, which then soared to a high of 43°F on Thursday, breaking a 68-year daily high record. Friday we hit the 40s once more amidst a foggy, rainy, and extraordinarily windy day with gusts roaring over 120 mph. This was accompanied by an early season thunderstorm that struck the summit directly in the late morning. Just as we had finally begun to feel some springtime warmth, a cold front swept in and knocked temperatures back down below freezing on Friday night, giving the summit a fresh coat of glaze and rime ice. Pictured below is the sun coming up the next morning just as the clouds began to clear.

Despite the return of winter overnight, Saturday was gorgeous. The winds decreased and the sun came up, breaking through the fog in the morning ahead of a pleasant wintry day. I slept through much of it as night Observer, but was up in time to enjoy a spectacular sunset (pictured below), glowing through brushstrokes of cirrus and altocumulus. In spite of the below-freezing temperatures, it was a beautiful evening to go for a stroll around the summit. That night, the clouds filled in from below under a rising full moon, bathing the scenery in light for a few hours, which gave me an easier time with my nighttime visibility during observations. A low-pressure system was approaching for Sunday, and the fog eventually settled back in for the rest of the night.

On Sunday, we had strong winds, fog, snow, freezing rain, and rapidly accumulating glaze ice. We even had a brief period of rain as the warm front lifted through in the evening, kicking temperatures up into the mid-30s. The cold front swept in immediately from behind and rain switched back to freezing rain, eventually becoming snow during the night. Determining precipitation type, icing type, and start/end times all required constant vigilance, but the most important thing was keeping the instruments de-iced. Heavy, dense glaze ice can build up quickly when rain falls from a warm layer above to a sub-freezing layer at the surface. At the very least, glaze ice will quickly freeze our wind vanes in place, but at worst, it can be a danger to both instruments and observers. It packs down, clings tightly to surfaces, and can become heavy quickly, making it more difficult to remove than brittle rime ice. Summit Operations Manager Rebecca Scholand and Director of Technology Keith Garrett have been working up here this shift, and they handled the brunt of this glaze ice episode. They have both been fantastic to work with! Sunday happened to be my 27th birthday, and I could not have had better people to spend it with on Mount Washington. During the craziness of the day, Rebecca managed to find the time to bake a beautiful cake for my birthday. I could not have hoped for a more sugary and delicious surprise. It was a banana cake with maple and cream cheese frosting with bacon bits sprinkled on top and it was amazing. Here it is below in all its glory:

In addition, Keith has been cooking amazing meals throughout the week, including on my birthday, so I have been extra spoiled this shift. I would include photos of those meals as well but they were too delicious and unfortunately could not be photographed in time. While the weather on Sunday night was unpleasant at first, the banana maple bacon birthday cake got me through to Monday.

The system that brought freezing rain and rain ending in eventual snow on Sunday night headed out on Monday, and left some very strong winds in its wake. We received multiple gusts over 120 mph through the morning, which died down later in the afternoon. The skies and summits cleared by sunset, which was tricky to get a steady photograph of given the -30°C wind chill and still-elevated winds. The end of this shift is coming up quickly, and it really feels like we have experienced a full rollercoaster ride of Mount Washington weather just over the course of one week. The temperatures are now back up to around 40°F and rain is in store for tonight, followed by freezing rain and snow tomorrow as another system comes through. While the constant ups and downs in the weather pattern can be exciting during these shoulder seasons, I am definitely looking forward to the summer.

David DeCou, Night Observer

Intern to Weather Observer

2021-03-22 15:00:59.000 – Jackie Bellefontaine, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

Hello from the summit of Mount Washington! My name is Jackie Bellefontaine, you may remember me from the previous blogs I wrote this winter as a summit intern. Well, as I am writing now, I have officially risen through the ranks and am about to finish my first shift as the newest Weather Observer and Education Specialist at the Mount Washington Observatory! I’m incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to continue contributing to the work happening at the Observatory as well as continuing to enjoy summit life. I thought I’d write this blog to re-introduce myself to you all and reflect on the experiences I’ve had since first joining the summit as an intern in January.

View of the Sherman Adams building and Observatory from the snowcat on my first trip up as a summit intern

Growing up in the Greater Boston area, I spent every summer recreating around the New Hampshire Lakes Region and White Mountains. It was through the time I spent in New Hampshire that I developed a passion for the outdoors and our natural world. I later went on to earn a degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Maine. During my undergraduate studies, I concentrated in climate sciences which turned into a keen interest of mine. I specifically became interested in the field of glaciology and was a student of the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP), based out of Juneau, Alaska, in the summer of 2019. My fellow “JIRPers” and I spent the summer engaging in a variety of Earth science research and education relating to glaciology while learning mountaineering skills during our icefield traverse. After graduating in 2020 from the University of Maine, I continued to search for opportunities to live and work in extreme environments. This interest in addition to the desire to learn more about the extreme weather and dynamic microclimate of Mount Washington drove me to pursue the internship at the Mount Washington Observatory.

First day as a summit intern ended pretty spectacularly

My first shift at the Observatory as a summit intern was incredibly exciting. The shift started off with my fellow shift members and I waiting at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road for the Observatory snowcat to pull out of the garage so we could load our gear and begin our journey up to the summit. I was in total awe of the sheer size of the snowcat as it slowly but surely rounded the corner from the garage to pick us up. My shift and I loaded up and boarded the cat then made our way up the Auto Road. The summit of Mount Washington spends about 60% of the year shrouded in the fog, but my first snowcat ride up the mountain happened to occur on a rarer bluebird day. It’s hard to convey the excitement and awe I felt as we chugged up the road, with the beautiful snow-capped summits of the Northern Presidentials right out of my window. The first few days of my shift remained relatively clear and mild, allowing me to experience some stunning sunsets and to venture out on a short hike to the nearby Lake of the Clouds Hut.

Returning to the summit as a Weather Observer & Education Specialist

However, these relatively clear and mild days did not last — by my second shift I got a true taste of the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather”. I was treated to an extreme high wind event with a peak gust of 157 mph on January 24th. I’d say this was one of the most excitement filled days of my life and one I will not likely forget (if you’d like to hear more about my high wind experience, check out my “An Intern in the Wind” blog from this past January!). Over the next few shifts, I truly came to enjoy the work happening at the Mount Washington Observatory. I looked forward to shadowing the hourly weather observations and became interested in the educational outreach that the current Education Specialist, Nicole Tallman, engaged in. I began to think of how much of a dream it would be to continue working for the Mount Washington Observatory, and was surprised when an opportunity to do so presented itself sooner than I expected. I was particularly excited by the open position since it was specifically for a Weather Observer and Education Specialist. Science outreach and education is something I consider to be incredibly important, as well as something I want to become more involved in. I continued through the application process and the next thing I knew, I left the summit as an intern only to be told during my off-week that I’d be returning as an Observer! I’m thrilled to continue contributing to the Mount Washington Observatory as a Weather Observer and Education Specialist. I hope that through this position, I am able to encourage others to become passionate about science and the awesome work done up here at the Mount Washington Observatory!

Jackie Bellefontaine, Weather Observer/Education Specialist

Reflections on a Late-February Summit Trip

2021-03-17 06:34:30.000 – Charlie Buterbaugh, Development Coordinator

Approaching tree line, the landscape is stunning. High above the White Mountain National Forest floor, protected in the snowcat as we gain elevation along the auto road in late February, the sight of clouds shrouding nearby peaks opens a vast field of vision. Closer at hand, dwarf balsam and black spruce trees known as Krummholz, covered with ice, offer signs of an extreme, inhospitable place.

Krummholz can be seen lining the Auto Road while approaching tree line.

As we reach the alpine zone, make our final ascent to the summit, and step onto the deep snowpack, I am filled with exhilaration. Even on this relatively calm day, with 35mph winds and the thermometer reading 20°F, the imagination can conjure notions of an otherworldly place, seemingly disconnected from life at lower elevations.

However, while the summit is distant, our lives are deeply connected to New England’s highest peak. As the new Development Coordinator at MWOBS, I get to hear compelling stories from our members and donors, from many locations, whose lives have been influenced by Mount Washington.

From a natural resource standpoint, snowfields in the alpine zone serve as a natural water tower for the Mount Washington region during summer melt, filling streams leading to Saco Lake and the Saco River aquifer, providing vital drinking water for New Hampshire and Maine.

We depend on the health of Mount Washington. It also depends on us. With multiple climate zones creating tremendous biodiversity along mountain slopes, leading through a vast range of habitats to the summit’s location at a layer of the atmosphere that’s both highly unique and critical to understand, Mount Washington is vulnerable to the warming climate created by our lives at lower elevations. Understanding the impacts of climate change on high-mountain areas can give us vital clues about our future.

Having started at MWOBS in December, a trip to the summit wasn’t something I expected to happen so soon. The organization’s focus on safety required pausing visits to the weather station, where our observers continue their 24/7 work in weather forecasting, climate science, and education. But an opportunity arose as a small team was heading to the summit, and I didn’t hesitate at the chance to spend a few hours learning first-hand about the vital work done by our weather observers.

We were greeted at the summit by beautiful undercast.

During the past year, the observers have kept us connected to the summit, performing their hourly weather observations to continue the institution’s nearly 90-year data record. They publish forecasts for Mount Washington, the higher summits, and the region twice every day. Among other critical work, they also share beautiful photography, giving us a window to both extreme weather and sublime horizons from the mountaintop.

In the Jack B. Middleton Weather Room, Weather Observer & Education Specialist Nicole Tallman and Summit Intern Jackie Bellefontaine helped me understand their process of forecasting. Producing a single forecast involves a substantial degree of analysis, data verification, and peer review. From assessing weather models, to looking for red flags in wind patterns, performing their own observations and uploading data every hour, the observers collaborate to publish forecasts that hikers, skiers, pilots and many others rely on for safety.

Rime ice on the observation deck railing.

They’re also contributing original research to help us understand the effects of climate change in high-mountain areas. We’re looking forward to sharing updates on their research projects in April. Stay tuned!

While on the summit, we had plentiful sunshine and incredible views. However, as the day came to a close, dense cloud cover reduced visibility to a minimum at about 2:00 p.m. I took one last walk on the observation deck. The wind speed had dropped below 10 mph, a rare occurrence for mid-winter. Weather Observer & Engineer Sam Robinson had climbed the tower to install the R.M. Young propeller anemometer, used only when conditions are right to measure ultra-low wind speeds. This is just one small example of tremendous dedication to accuracy in the Observatory’s data record, which provides us with understanding of our changing climate, and in turn connects the unique weather station on Mount Washington to our communities.

Instrumentation Specialist Pete Gagne works on the Pitot 20 Anemometer.

I’m looking forward to talking with members of the Observatory community as much as possible in my new role. Look out for updates on Seek the Peak and other exciting opportunities to support our mission!