October 15th is Mount Washington Observatory’s Founding Day! Celebrate our 93rd year by joining us on the summit of Mount Washington and in our North Conway administrative offices:
- Free MWOBS weather station tours from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, located at Mount Washington State Park. (Dependent on weather conditions & Auto Road operations; Auto Road tickets not provided).
- Gladys Brooks Memorial Library Open House hosted by MWOBS Curator Dr. Peter Crane from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. (Location: Upstairs- MWOBS Administrative Offices, 2779 White Mountain Highway, North Conway NH).
On October 15, 1932, Bob Monahan, Sal Pagliuca, Alex MacKenzie, and Joe Dodge set up a permanent presence on the summit. Using funds obtained from a research grant and a few private donors, the Mount Washington Observatory was formally established, with a mission of advancing the understanding of weather, climate, and the mountain itself.
Just two years later, on April 12, 1934, the Observatory captured what was then the fastest surface wind speed ever observed by man, at 231 mph. This thrust Mount Washington into the spotlight and highlighted the value in having a mountaintop weather station.
Due to their steadfast dedication and the Observatory staff that followed, this mountaintop weather station remains a unique operation staffed 365 days a year and proudly maintains one of the longest running climate records in North America. Today, we continue to gather, disseminate and analyze daily weather data; to contribute to the critical, long-term weather and climate record essential to scientific understanding of weather and climate in a unique, extreme environment. Here’s to our 93rd anniversary, and many more to come!
While we at the Observatory are extremely proud to celebrate our history, it is only a fraction of what makes the day so special. None of it would have been possible without the support of our members! Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in making the Observatory what it is today, we genuinely couldn’t do it without you!
