Mount Washington Observatory Observer Blog
Three and a Half Months of Snow, Ice and Rime
Three and a Half Months of Snow, Ice and Rime, with Deeper Drifts. By Ryan Steinke Me outside on the summit near the Yankee Building. My internship with the Mount Washington Observatory has now come to an end. Although I had an amazing time and made many new friends, this day had to come eventually. Plus, having four Ryans at the Observatory at once was simply too confusing, and things needed to calm down a bit. I arrived on the summit a few days before 2026 began and turned over the new year on the top of
Supporter Spotlight: Righteous Vices Coffee Roasters
Supporter Spotlight: Righteous Vices Coffee Roasters By MWOBS Staff Righteous Vices Coffee Roasters, a local coffee roaster and shop located in Center Conway, New Hampshire, has been a partner of the Observatory since 2024. As the “Official Coffee of Mount Washington Observatory,” their roasts are regularly sent to the summit of Mount Washington and are much appreciated by staff working around the clock. We recently spoke with Righteous Vices’ co-owner Adam Belanger about their backstory, their love of coffee, and their support for local causes. What inspired you to start roasting coffee, and how did this company come to
Winter Storm Tracks Across New Hampshire
Winter Storm Tracks Across New Hampshire By Alex Branton As winter comes to a close, most of us are ready for the warmer temperatures and sunshine that come with Spring and Summer. Although we are looking forward to the summertime comfort, we can reflect fondly on Winter ‘25/’26. When I think about this past winter, I remember an intense start to the season in November, a couple big snowstorms, plenty of snow to sustain winter recreation, and near average temperatures. When we compare this winter to winter’s past, we may begin to wonder why this season in New Hampshire
Bringing Polar Byrd I to Mount Washington
Bringing Polar Byrd I to Mount Washington By Jackie Broccolo In 1968, my grandfather joined the Polar Byrd I “Dustin Transpolar Flight”, which was the first commercial flight to carry civilians across both poles and touch down on all continents in just 26 days. This round-the-world flight was a tribute to renowned polar explorer and pioneer of aerial exploration, Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Admiral Byrd led several historic expeditions to Antarctica from 1928 to 1956, including establishing the first United States Antarctic base on the Ross Ice Shelf (Little America I) during his second mission in 1928, the first
In Remembrance: Paul T. Fitzgerald
In Remembrance: Paul T. Fitzgerald By Rob Kirsch, MWOBS Trustee & Immediate Past President The Observatory and Mount Washington communities have lost a giant. Paul Thomas Fitzgerald passed away peacefully early on February 5, 2026. Paul was born in Springfield, MA, on April 27, 1950, and moved to Laconia at the age of two. He attended St. John’s School, Laconia High School and graduated from St. Michael’s College. Paul was in the first graduating class of the Franklin Pierce Law Center, now UNH Law School. Paul opened a law practice in Laconia with a classmate. He spent nearly fifty
Seek the Peak 2026: New Adventures, Rooted in Tradition
Seek the Peak 2026: New Adventures, Rooted in Tradition By MWOBS Staff Seek the Peak is Mount Washington Observatory's largest annual fundraiser, and for 26 years it's brought together hikers, adventurers, and people who care about weather science and the outdoors. Whether you summit Mount Washington, explore a local trail, or find your own path, every step you take supports the Observatory's critical work in weather forecasting, research, and education. But the event is more than just a hike—it’s a Hike-a-Thon! This means your adventure raises critical funds, and the more you raise, the more epic gear you earn.
What “Prepared” Really Means in the White Mountains
What “Prepared” Really Means in the White Mountains Early Spring in the Whites: The Most Honest Season By Andrew Harris, Burgeon Outdoor If you’ve spent any time in New Hampshire’s White Mountains in March, you already know: the forecast is more suggestion than promise. It can be 12°F at sunrise, 48°F by lunch, snowing mid-afternoon, and raining by the time you’re back at the trailhead. Valleys hint at spring. Summits still hold winter tight. Somewhere in between is where most hikers get into trouble. In the White Mountains, “prepared” doesn’t mean tossing an extra sweatshirt in the car. It
March on Mount Washington
March on Mount Washington By Ryan Knapp Looking towards Mt. Madison at sunset on March 21, 2026. The calendar has spoken: Friday, 20 March 2026, marked the first day of astronomical spring. For much of the country, this signals warmer days and melting snow, but on the summit of Mount Washington, the change of season is merely a suggestion. For the higher terrain of the White Mountains, the transition occurs at a significantly slower pace. If you are planning an ascent, be warned: the mountain is not ready for your lighter, three-season gear. As I am writing
Home Sweet Summit
Home Sweet Summit By Kathryn Hawkes Me enjoying the view of Mount Washington while skiing in the valley on my off week. Hi everyone! My name is Kathryn Hawkes and I’m the joint climate science research intern working on the White Mountains Almanac with Mount Washington Observatory, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. I am super excited for this opportunity to spend the next months at the Observatory and evaluate how climate change is affecting the White Mountains! Unlike many other interns and observers that hail from far and wide, I have had the privilege
Pleasant Winter Days on the Summit
Pleasant Winter Days on the Summit By Karl Philippoff The summit of Mount Washington is known to be the "Home of the World’s Worst Weather" due to high winds, fog, and cold temperatures. However, after a particularly rare day earlier in February, I received a media inquiry about how unusual it is to have relatively pleasant weather conditions on the summit during meteorological winter (December – February), the time when the summit usually experiences its stormiest weather with respect to winds and fog. Now what constitutes a ‘pleasant’ weather day during the middle of winter can certainly change depending
Search with Text
