100 FAQs About Being a Weather Observer on Mount Washington

By Alex Branton

I recently collaborated with the Education team to compile and answer the most frequently asked questions during our programs. From daily living, to instrumentation, to Nimbus the summit cat, we hope these answers help illustrate what work and life are like on the rockpile! 

1. Do weather observers get paid?
Yes, we are full-time hourly employees who earn pay and benefits.

2. Do observers ever get stuck on Mount Washington in bad weather?
Yes. Often times during the winter, the weather is too bad for our snow tractor to safely drive up the mountain for shift change. Usually, extremely poor visibility is the limiting factor. Early season snow and/or off-season ice can inhibit travel up and down the Mount Washington Auto Road before our winter vehicles are ready to use.

3. How do observers get to the top of the mountain each week; do they ever hike up?
Observers get to the summit by traveling via a truck, van, or snow tractor up the Mount Washington Auto Road. There have been a couple of occasions where observers took the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit due to adverse road conditions. If observers ever hike up, it is by choice.

4. What is the coolest weather instrument at the observatory?
There are lots of cool weather instruments at the observatory, but the most unique is our pitot anemometer. This is an instrument used to measure wind. The pitot anemometer was designed and developed in-house as a way to more effectively measure high wind speeds. A pitot tube is device commonly used to measure airspeed on airplanes. As a plane flies through the atmosphere, the pitot tube tells the pilot how fast the plane is moving through the atmosphere. On Mount Washington, the pitot tube remains stationary and tells us how fast the atmosphere is moving through and around the tube. It does this by pointing in to the wind and measuring the difference air pressure between the outside of the tube and the inside of the tube. These measurements can then be calculated into a wind speed. The pitot anemometer is also heated, so it is good to use in icing conditions.

5. How many people work on the summit at one time?
Typically, there are two day observers, one night observer, one to two interns, and two volunteers in the observatory at one time. New Hampshire State Park also staffs one to two people at time on the summit. So, there are usually 5-9 people living and working on the summit at one time.

6. How long does it take to complete an observation?
It depends on the weather, but usually 5 to 15 minutes.

7. What is the hardest instrument to use?
Each instrument has its own unique difficulties, but using the sling psychrometer can at times be the most frustrating to use. For proper you use, observers must stand outside in the shade spinning the instrument, sometimes for upwards of 10 minutes. In inclement weather, this can be challenging and it can be difficult to stand out in the elements for that long. The instrument also breaks easily, so we must be careful not to fall down or drop it.

8. Why is weather data recorded every hour?
Recording data every hour ensures a high-resolution data set where changes in the weather can easily be seen.

9. What is the most difficult weather to observe?
Many types of weather present their own difficulties for observation. The most challenging weather conditions for observers are high winds paired with clear conditions, glaze-icing events, and stormy skies in the summer.

10. What is the hardest part of being an observer?
The feeling of isolation in the winter and the separation from friends and family for a week at a time is a commonly shared challenge among observers.

11. How long are observers on the summit?
Weather observers are on the summit for eight days at a time.

12. Is it dangerous to be outside when the winds are high?
It can be, but weather observers know how to be safe when the winds are high. If we have to move far away from the shelter of the building in high winds, some observers will just crawl on the ground to avoid the risk of falling.

13. Are observations taken at night or just during the day?
Weather observations are taken 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

14. Why is there a need for humans to be up there to measure the weather?
The weather conditions on Mount Washington are so extreme that automated weather sensors are easily damaged and/or do not work properly. Humans operating manual weather instruments are needed to ensure an accurate, complete dataset.

15. What does an intern do on the summit?
Much of the same things that observers do! Interns assist with summit operations, including weather observations, forecasting, and maintaining the weather station. They also conduct a research project throughout their internship.

16. Do observers take turns being the night observer?
No. Night observers are hired to work night shifts and day observers are hired to work day shifts.

17. What is the work schedule like?
Weather observers work eight day shifts at the summit weather station. During those eight days, observers work for 12 hours per day.

18. What is deicing?
Deicing is the removal ice from weather instruments so that they read accurately.

19. How do you collect and measure precipitation?
A large metal can, called the precipitation can, is left outside in the open to allow precipitation to fall inside of it. The can is then brought inside where weather observers measure what is inside with a ruler. If the precipitation is frozen, the precipitation is also melted to get a liquid equivalent measurement. Weather observers measure what is inside the precipitation can four times per day.

20. Can observers tell what the wind speed is without looking at the instruments?
With experience, weather observers develop the ability to estimate what the wind speed is without looking at the instruments. This can be from the noises the wind makes as it blows across various structures on the summit or how it feels when they are outside. Developing this ability is also important for checking that wind instruments are reporting properly.

21. Other than weather observations, what other jobs are there to do while on shift?
Data quality checks, weather forecasting, education programs, research projects, radio broadcasts, weather station maintenance, instrument maintenance, social media, public interaction, just to name a few!

22. What goes into a weather observation?
For a weather observation, observers look at wind, visibility, present weather, sky condition, temperatures, dew point, relative humidity, and air pressure. The collection of this data requires the use of manual weather instruments outdoors, walking around the observation deck to look in all directions on the horizon, and extracting some data from instruments mounted on the instrument tower.

23.  How many observations have been taken on Mount Washington?
MWOBS has taken and continues to take weather observations every hour since 1932. So, 92 years x 365 days x 24 hours = roughly 805,920 observations

24. What is a Hays Chart?
The Hays chart is essentially just a graph of the wind speed for a 24-hour period. The chart rotates on a device while a needle automatically records the wind speed on the chart. It is kind of like a seismograph, but for wind instead of earthquakes.

25. What kind of research projects are going on at MWOBS?
For an up-to-date look at our current research projects, please visit https://mountwashington.org/research/current-research-projects/. 

26. Is it hard to sleep up there in high winds?
No. Our bunkrooms are in the basement, so noise and disruptions due to high winds are usually at a minimum.

27. What is the most difficult part about living on Mount Washington?
Long stretches of fog and/or other elements of bad weather can be mentally and physically challenging.

28. What happens if there is a medical emergency on the mountain?
If there is a medical emergency on the mountain, we try to get that individual down as quickly as possible. We have some first-aid supplies and some basic training in case of emergency.

29. Are there any pets up there?
Yes, we have a cat named Nimbus.

30. Do observers ever play in the snow?
Yes! Playing in the snow is weather observers’ favorite activity!

31. Where do the observers sleep?
Beneath the weather room is our living quarters. Here, there is a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and 5 bunkrooms. Each bunkroom can sleep 3 to 4 people.

32. What is the elevation of Mount Washington?
The summit of Mount Washington has an elevation of 6288 feet, making it the tallest mountain in the Northeast.

33. Can mail be delivered to the summit?
No, but we can send postcards from the summit with the Mount Washington Cog Railway’s mail service.

34. What do observers do on Mount Washington when they are not recording the weather?
Lots of things! We enjoy hiking, skiing, sledding, ice skating, watching sunsets/sunrises, and having snowball fights. Indoors, we like to watch TV, play our Nintendo Switch, and enjoy each other’s company.

35. What kind of food do observers eat the most?
The most common foods prepared by our volunteers are spaghetti, lasagna, chili, chocolate chip cookies, and brownies. You can learn more about our awesome volunteer program here.

36. How does food get supplied to the observatory?
Weather observers take turns grocery shopping. Groceries then get sent to the summit with shift change on Wednesdays.

37. What kind of clothing do observers wear to go outside?
In the winter, weather observers wear a lot of layers. Typically, this includes wool socks and base layers, an insulating layer such as a down jacket, snow pants, a snow jacket, winter hiking boots, a balaclava, a sock hat, ski goggles, and gloves.

38. Can observers take showers up there?
Yes, we have one shower and plenty of hot water.

39. What happens if someone gets sick on the summit?
If someone gets sick, we ask that they remain isolated in their bunkroom until someone can drive them down.

40. Is there Wi-Fi up there?
Yes

41. Has the summit ever run out of food?
No, we keep the pantry stocked with enough food to last one month on the summit.

42. Where is Nimbus (Observatory cat) usually?
Probably sleeping on the couch in our living quarters.

43. What does Nimbus do all day?
Nimbus usually spends the day sleeping, begging for food, and playing. At night, Nimbus likes to hunt mice.

44. Have there ever been any pets besides cats?
In the summits early history, there have been a few dogs that called Mount Washington home.

45. Does the observatory ever lose power?
The observatory frequently loses power, but we have backup generators and batteries that take over when that happens. Usually, we are only without power for a few seconds at a time.

46. Do observers celebrate holidays on Mount Washington?
Yes!

47. Can you explain rime ice?
Rime ice forms when there are foggy conditions at below freezing temperatures. This can happen anywhere, but is a common phenomenon on Mount Washington. When in the fog and when temperatures are below freezing, the liquid water droplets that make up the fog are existing at below freezing temperatures. These “supercooled” water droplets freeze on contact with anything they encounter – be it structures, weather instruments, or weather observers walking around outside. The rime feathers grow in the direction that wind is blowing from. Check out this video to learn more.

48. Is there anywhere in the world that has recorded winds as high as Mount Washington?
Yes, on April 10, 1996, Tropical Cyclone Olivia produced a wind speed of 253 mph. This was measured by an automated weather station off the coast of Australia.

49. Has the summit ever flooded?
No, since the summit is the highest point, all water flows towards the valleys.

50. Why is it usually colder on the top of the mountain?
Air pressure decreases as you go up in altitude. As air pressure decreases, so does temperature. This is the same principle behind why sunscreen feels cold as it sprayed onto your skin. Inside the bottle, the sunscreen is at high pressure, but when it is released, it expands and pressure decreases.

51. Why is the weather on Mount Washington so extreme?
This can be narrowed down to 3 major reasons. 1) Topography: winds are usually higher at the top of mountains due to the decrease in surface friction. 2) Venturi Effect: the unique shape of the White Mountains around us and the tropopause enhance wind speeds as they approach Mount Washington. 3) Storm tracks: New England sits at the confluence of most of the major storm tracks across North America, giving us a high frequency of storms.

52. How much snow do you have right now?
You can check ground conditions at the summit by visiting mountwashington.org, hovering your mouse over the “weather tab”, and selecting “PDF Printable Forecast.”

53. When do the fastest winds occur on Mount Washington during the year?
The months with the highest wind averages of the year are December, January, and February.

54. What is the average precipitation on Mount Washington?
Average annual liquid equivalent precipitation is 91.23″.

55. What is the coldest temperature ever recorded on the mountain?
-47◦F (February 2023, January 1934)

56. What is the warmest temperature ever recorded on Mount Washington?
72◦F (June 2003, August 1975)

57. How much snow does Mount Washington get per year?
Annual average snow is 281.8”.

58. What is the fastest wind ever recorded on Mount Washington?
231 mph (April 1934). Learn more about Big Wind Day here.

59. How is the climate changing on Mount Washington?
The summit of Mount Washington is experiencing a slow and steady warming trend at a slightly lower rate than the rest of New England since we began keeping records in 1932. We have also observed a shortening of the winter season and an increased frequency of winter thaw events.

60. What is air pressure and how is it different on Mount Washington?
Air pressure is a measure of the force being exerted by air particles in an air column above a location – or the weight of the atmosphere above a location. Air pressure decreases with altitude. At the summit of Mount Washington, air pressure is usually about 20% lower.

61. What is the difference between snow and sleet?
Snow is precipitation that starts frozen inside a cloud and remains frozen until it reaches Earth’s surface. Sleet is precipitation that starts frozen, melts as it falls toward Earth, but refreezes before it reaches the surface.

62. How do observers forecast the weather on Mount Washington; is it harder than in other places?
Weather observers use many of the same methods that meteorologists across the globe use to forecast the weather – meteorological knowledge, weather models, and current conditions. Mountain meteorology is more difficult because it is hard to predict how the terrain will interact with weather systems.

63. Have you hiked Mount Washington?
Yes, many times!

64. Do you like to hike mountains in your free time?
Yes, I love exploring the White Mountains and beyond.

65. What do you do in your time off the mountain?
I enjoy hiking, climbing, running, paddle boarding, traveling, and planning future adventures.

66. Do you get used to the cold after a while?
I wouldn’t say that I have gotten used to the cold, but I have gotten used to being cold.

67. Have you gotten frostbite on the mountain?
No, we make sure that our skin is properly covered before going outside.

68. Have you ever fallen off the mountain?
I have fallen on the mountain many times, but never off the mountain.

69. How much do you like your job?
I like my job a lot! I enjoy living and working on Mount Washington and studying its unique weather.

70. How long have you been a weather observer?
I started as an intern in 2021 and became full time in 2022.

71. What is the most severe weather that you have experienced?
The most severe weather that I have experienced in my lifetime was Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Katrina as a child in Pensacola, FL.

72. Why did you want to work at MWOBS?
Two of the things I love most are extreme weather and outdoor recreation. Working at MWOBS allows me to combine the two and make a living at the same time.

73. Do you get bored recording the weather every hour?
It can get monotonous and tiring, but never boring.

74. Do you consider your job to be hard?
There are many challenging aspects to my job, like living on a remote mountain top and dealing with extreme weather on a regular basis – but these are what make my job interesting!

75. What is the craziest weather that you have seen up there?
For me personally, thundersnow in Spring of 2024.

76. Have you ever been stuck on the mountain?
Yes, shift change often gets delayed by one or two days in the winter due to weather.

77. Have you had any encounters with wildlife on the mountain?
I have seen a black bear and two cubs on the mountain.

78. What is like to stay on Mount Washington overnight?
Very similar to what it is like to stay in any communal living space. We eat dinner together and hang out before going to sleep. The unique part is being able to go outside at night or early in the morning before any other people are on the summit. We are also lucky that we can see the northern lights outside our window if they are visible.

79. What is the scariest thing you have had to deal with on the top of Mt. Washington?
Sometimes, driving up and down the auto road can be scary. There have been a couple of instances where we were sliding on ice or sinking/sliding in slush, and these situations made me nervous.

80. What is the fastest wind speed you have experienced?
The fastest wind speed I have personally experienced is 121 mph.

81. What is your favorite and least favorite part of your job?
My favorite part about my job is getting to experience the best and worst weather on Mount Washington. My least favorite part is the occasional feeling of isolation from society, especially in winter.

82. What is your favorite season on the mountain?
I like Summer, Fall, and Winter on Mount Washington! If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Winter because this is the time that we get our most extreme weather.

83. What is the coolest experience you have had on Mount Washington?
The coolest experience I have ever had was viewing one of the best aurora borealis events in New England history in May 2024. The colors and pillars were incredible and directly overhead.

84. What other jobs can you do as a meteorologist?
The largest employers of meteorologists are the National Weather Service and the United States Military. Meteorologists can also work in the private sector for a variety of different types of organizations. There is also the need for meteorologists to teach at schools and universities.

85. Did you always want to be a meteorologist and when did you know that is what you wanted to do?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a meteorologist. I was always interested in the weather as a child, and when I was in 4th grade, a hurricane hunter pilot came to talk to my class about his job. This is when I realized that I could have a cool job related to weather.

86. What qualifications do you need to become a meteorologist?
At least a 4-year degree in meteorology or a related field.

87. What classes in high school are important to take if you are interested in meteorology?
As many math and science classes that are available at your school, the most important being physics and calculus.

88. What type of school or training did you do to become a weather observer?
I studied aviation meteorology and air traffic control at the Florida Institute of Technology. I also interned at the Mount Washington Observatory.

89. When did you decide to become a weather observer and why?
After I graduated from college, there was an open position at MWOBS for a weather observer. After having interned at MWOBS and enjoying my experience, I decided to apply. Outside of the opportunity to be a meteorologist in a unique, outdoorsy setting, I appreciated the work/life balance that comes with being an observer at MWOBS.

90. Was there a specific event that made you want to study weather?
I vividly remember Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Katrina, both of which heavily impacted my hometown near Pensacola, FL. Although I was only 4 and 5 years old at the time, I was captivated by these storms and wanted to continue learning about weather.

91. Do you have to go to college to be a weather observer?
Yes, being a weather observer requires at least a 4-year degree in meteorology or a related field.

92. How does MWOBS make money?
MWOBS is a private, non-profit organization that relies on donations and funding from members, sponsorships, retail sales, fundraising events, and federal and local grants and contracts. We also generate funding from services provided, such as educational programs, museums, and research.

93. How long does it take to hike up Mount Washington?
It depends on which trail you take and your hiking ability. Taking this into account, it usually takes roughly 3 to 6 hours.

94. Do people hike up there in the winter?
Yes. People climb Mount Washington at all times of the year.

95. When was the Observatory built and by whom?
The Mount Washington Observatory was founded in 1932, but the history of weather observation on Mount Washington goes back to the winter of 1870-1871. You can learn more about the history of the organization at https://mountwashington.org/about-us/our-history/. 

The Mount Washington Observatory leases its space from New Hampshire State Park in the Sherman Adams Summit Building on the summit of Mount Washington. This building was constructed by the State of New Hampshire in 1980.

96. Are there any lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers up there?
From the summit, Lakes of the Clouds is visible near Mount Monroe. Although there are no streams or rivers around the summit of Mount Washington, many rivers are fed by Mount Washington’s watershed, including the Androscoggin, Connecticut, and Saco rivers.

97. Why is there a weather station on Mount Washington?
Mount Washington is home to some of the most extreme and unique weather on Earth. The White Mountains are also a popular destination for tourists and mountain climbers. MWOBS provides real time weather conditions and weather forecasts, an important tool for those planning to recreate in the area. The unique weather is also a draw for meteorological and climatological research.

98. Who uses weather data from Mount Washington?
Many people use weather data from MWOBS, including members of the community, outdoor recreationists, organizations operating on and around Mount Washington, local businesses, weather forecasters across New England, and partner researchers.

99. What happens to the weather data after it is recorded by the weather observer?
After data is collected by the weather observer, it is put into our database and disseminated to the National Weather Service where it can also be accessed by the public. From here, it goes to the National Center for Environmental Information to be stored into a climate record.

100. How can I learn more about Mount Washington Observatory, and how I can get involved?
As a private, member-supported, nonprofit institution, our mission is to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. Supporters of MWOBS help sustain one of the longest continuous weather records in North America, year-round forecasts that help hikers and search and rescue teams anticipate harsh weather, and educational programs that inspire students. You can become a member with any donation, and right now, your gift will go towards our Year-End Campaign. Please consider making a donation today at https://mountwashington.org/donate/.  Thank you!