April 12, 2024 marks the 90th anniversary of Big Wind Day, when a world record wind gust of 231 mph was measured by Mount Washington Observatory’s first weather team of Alex McKenzie, Sal Pagliuca, and Wendell Stephenson. Celebrate with us in a big way with an array of engaging events to explore this landmark event. Alongside a public celebration at Tuckerman Brewing Company in Conway, NH, we’ll also be sharing new and archival content plus education programs. For the month of April, $1 of every ‘6288 Stout from Tuckerman will be donated to the Observatory. We look forward to having you join us for the fun!
– Saturday, April 6: We hosted acclaimed author Rachel Slade during the April 2023 anniversary of Big Wind Day. Read a deep excerpt of her new essay, “Will They Believe It?” in which Slade recounts her experience on Mount Washington. Her full story will be published in the September/October 2024 edition of Yankee Magazine.
– Thursday, April 11 1:00-4:00 PM: Open House with Big Wind Day archival materials in the Observatory’s Gladys Brooks Memorial Library. Come explore the amazing history of this day with our curator Dr. Peter Crane. Location: MWOBS Administrative Office, 2779 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 03860.
– Friday, April 12 3:00-6:00 PM: 90th Anniversary Big Wind Day Celebration. Fun for families with kites and anemometers (wind sensors) for kids, educational programs, live music, food, drinks, and a ceremony with the families of Alex, Sal, and Wendell. Location: Tuckerman Brewing Company in Conway, NH.
You can also celebrate Big Wind Day with a limited edition 90th Anniversary Tee! Available in short-sleeve, long-sleeve, crew sweatshirt, and pullover hoodie, the design features a commemorative patch logo and vintage style artwork depicting the heated number two anemometer atop the summit of Mount Washington. This exclusive tee gives back to our weather and climate research and is only available now through April.
Featured in the summit’s Extreme Mount Washington Museum, the film below tells the story of Big Wind Day in the words of Salvatore Pagliuca and Alexander McKenzie. Accompanied by historical photographs and images from the crew’s logbook, the experience is an immersive and educational step back in time.
Stay tuned for more Big Wind Day stories by signing up for our digital newsletter.
