My Volunteer Week on the Summit 2014-12-10 17:39:53.000 - Mike Carrafiello, Summit Volunteer   It has been a hectic week here on the summit. There is major construction activity to renovate all of the Observatory bunk rooms. In addition to the regular Obs staff, there were several construction people, a videographer, and a student researcher. This made for a very busy but interesting experience. It was quite a difference from my previous two weeks here as a summit volunteer. The bunk room reconstruction is going very well and nearing completion. The rooms have been reconfigured to greatly increase the comfort

Watching the Mountain We Call Washington 2014-12-09 16:48:34.000 - Roger Pushor, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   It seems like it's been just about forever since I last wrote an Observer Comment and that's because I've been heads down working on getting content up to this new website. The summit of Mount Washington is an ever changing place so our website must be able to keep up with the current conditions. After reviewing all of the existing programs that updated the old website it was decided the best approach would be to consolidate and re-write all of the software that uploaded data

Wintry Weather to Come! 2014-12-08 17:59:03.000 - Michael Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   The mountains of New Hampshire may see their biggest storm of the season so far with this next round of snow. With temperatures hovering just around the freezing mark, the amount of snow that falls will vary greatly depending on location. Southern and coastal areas will see warmer air, so they will see little or no snow out of this storm. A slushy 2-4 inches can be expected for Merrimack and Belknap counties, with more accumulation at higher elevations. Snow totals in Northern Carroll and Coos counties

New Faces and New Spaces 2014-12-07 17:35:53.000 - Kaitlyn O'Brien, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   During this shift week, we have been lucky enough to work with Tom Guilmette, a videographer based in Boston, MA. After helping us capture spectacular footage for the Extreme Mount Washington exhibit, he has returned to the summit. This time he focused on a very special project that began in the beginning of November. Thanks to the Facilities Committee, Berkeley Building Company, Mount Washington State Park crew, donors, and fans, the Observatory bunk rooms have received a much needed renovation. This documentary shows the dedication of

Dear Santa... 2014-12-06 16:50:20.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Dear Santa- How are you? I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this is my eighth letter to you; that's nearly one letter for each year I have been working up here. Digging through my file cabinet, I have been covering our five-point checklist that we agreed to years ago: Hand Written note by November 1 - DONE Email note by Thanksgiving - DONE A preliminary New Hampshire forecast for Christmas night - DONE (emailed it to you this morning) A reminder on my

Views from the Summit 2014-12-05 18:06:51.000 - Michael Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   It was another beautiful day on the rockpile! Tom Guilmette, professional videographer and photographer, is up volunteering on the summit for the week getting much-needed pictures and video for the Observatory.  The mountain has been quite photogenic in the last 24 hours, allowing him to get some great shots!   Tom Guilmette isn't the only one getting great shots!  With our new website, we've revamped our network of webcams both on the summit and at remote sites.  David Raizen at Scarsdale Security even generously donated two new

24 millibars in 24 hours 2014-12-04 20:57:37.000 - Kaitlyn O'Brien, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   What is the significance of 24 millibars in 24 hours? While "millibars" may sound like the latest candy bar, this is no eating contest. When an area of low pressure strengthens, and the pressure drops 24 millibars or greater within a 24 hour period, this is known as bombogenesis. As ominous as this sounds, there is a scientific explanation for this atmospheric process. To comprehend the specifics of bombogenesis, it's important to first understand cyclogenesis. Cyclogenesis describes the development or strengthening of a low pressure system.

Where in the World is Joshua Perez? 2014-12-03 20:22:58.000 - Joshua Perez, Summit Intern   “Which came first, the phoenix or the flame?” “Hmm . . . What do you think, Harry?” said Luna, looking thoughtful. “What? Isn’t there just a password?” “Oh no, you’ve got to answer a question,” said Luna. “What if you get it wrong?” “Well, you have to wait for somebody who gets it right,” said Luna. “That way you learn, you see?” “Yeah . . . Trouble is, we can’t really afford to wait for anyone else, Luna.” “No, I see what you mean,” said

Marty on a Coaster 2014-12-02 13:19:11.000 - Caleb Meute, Summit Intern   Random question: Have you been on a roller coaster this week? I’m not trying to make anyone jealous, but Marty and all of us observers have been on one this entire week up here on the summit of Mount Washington. It hasn’t been your average roller coaster with corkscrews and grown men screaming, but it has been a roller coaster of temperatures. When we got up here to the summit last Wednesday, the temperatures were in the lower 30s. Thursday and into Friday the temperatures fell and hit

The Last From Me, For Now 2014-12-01 16:29:09.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Education Specialist                   It’s hard to believe, sitting down to compose this observer comment, that I won’t be sitting down to write another one on the summit for quite some time. I’ve worked on the summit of Mount Washington for a little over six years, starting as a summit intern in the fall of 2008. After my internship, I was hired as a Weather Observer/Meteorologist, and begun my first full-time position in the field of meteorology working the night shift on the summit of Mount Washington! That