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2006-10-16 07:11:16.000 – Ken Rancourt,  Meteorologist

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Fog. I suppose that I should be used to it by now, but it sure would be nice to see the sun today! Rime ice and snow now cover the summmit proper, and we are reporting 0.5 inches on the ground. 0.5 rounds to 1 inch so we can officially report snow cover on the summit in our METAR reports. Maybe that is not the beginning of winter up here, but it is coming pretty close to it.

Yesterday afternoon the State started to take down their office equipment and paperwork. The State’s Gift Shop is just about cleaned out, and there are still a few items left in the food concession, but don’t expect any hot foods if you get up here in the next few days. Our Museum Shop is still open here, and we are doing a great job on selling hats and mittens to various folks.

We are also entering that part of the year when ‘4 wheel drive with chains all around’ is the response when the question is asked over the radio ‘how is it up there.’ The State chained up yesterday and had no problems getting down. Last night’s snowfall (only about 0.8 inches) probably covered the road quite a ways down, and there will likely be some snow on the Road below tree line this morning, but that will not slow down the heavy trucks. Passenger cars are something else. We might see them later today or tomorrow, but certainly not early this morning. A little sand, and some sunshine, will clear off the Road quickly. When we do come into the clear, the view up to the mountain from the valley should be quite pretty. As we’ve been saying to the new Intern lately: ‘get your camera rook’ (short for rookie) because the rime ice, snow covered rocks, blue sky and beautiful sights are worth getting outside to capture that Kodak moment.

Ken Rancourt,  Meteorologist