News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fifteen Years of Observing Mount Washington's Weather 2021-03-08 20:17:38.000 - Ryan Knapp, Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Just over fifteen years ago (December 28, 2005), I started working at the Mount Washington Observatory. I started as an intern but in February 2006, I was hired on as a "temporary-full time" observer. What this title meant was I was hired as an Observer but I had until what would have been the end of my internship (May 2006) for the Observatory and I to decide whether or not I should continue as a full time observer. Well, since I am writing this comment

Behind the Scientist 2021-02-22 12:07:42.000 - Nicole Tallman, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Through outreach programs and talking to family and friends I realize there is a stigma behind being a scientist, that we are solely dedicated to our work and are somehow different from the general public. However, this is not true! Part of my job as an Education Specialist is not only to teach about the science, but to break down this barrier and make becoming a scientist a more approachable idea. In this Observer Comment I would like to showcase myself and my fellow shift mates with a