Cold and Snowy at the Mount Washington Observatory! 2014-11-07 18:13:16.000 - Michael Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Winter is definitely here on the summit. During my last few observations yesterday, I was amazed at how peacefully the snow was falling on the observation deck. With increasing winds today, the fallen snow has begun to whip into the air, making travel above treeline difficult, and impossible without goggles. Between consistent snowfall and no above-freezing temperatures on the summit for the near future, it looks like a winter wonderland up here! There’s a room halfway up our tower, aptly named the “cold

Splints, Cravats, and Gauze: Oh My! 2014-11-06 21:37:35.000 - Kaitlyn O'Brien, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Our crew came up a day earlier than usual this week to participate in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training sponsored by SOLO. Every two years, our staff undergoes this training to ensure that we are WFA certified and prepared for the many types of medical emergencies we may encounter. By staging several different emergency scenarios, we were able to simulate what a real-life rescue would be like, particularly in the backcountry where resources are limited. Having some previous EMT experience under my belt, I've certainly

The Winds of Winter 2014-11-03 18:00:19.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   The winds of winter are certainly back across the higher peaks of New England, with the powerful Nor'easter yesterday causing winds to gust over 100 mph for much of the night, with a peak gust of 112 mph for November 2nd. This morning a second even higher gust of 116 mph was recorded, with winds remaining sustained above hurricane force for much of the day. Working nights alone during these conditions can be both exhilarating and a little scary, with de-icing atop the weather tower and taking the

A great last week atop the rockpile! 2014-11-02 20:29:00.000 - Christine Welsh, Summit Museum Attendant   My boyfriend called me a weather geek. He was teasing because he knows how happy I am to say, I'm back! I just could not stay away. The MWObs living quarters are undergoing a much needed remodel and the kitchen was short a cook, so guess who's wearing her best Gortex chef's hat this week? Your friendly museum attendant, that's who, and what a fun week it has been! Between having a ball in the kitchen creating yummy meals for the masses, aliens from

Bring on the Winds Nor'easter 2014-11-01 17:49:00.000 - Caleb Meute, Summit Intern   When I was in elementary school, my dad used to bring enormous rolls of paper to our house for my siblings and I to draw on. I took advantage of this, by drawing massive tornadoes that would wrap around entire rooms. I would draw the tornadoes, put a couple of upside down cows around them and maybe a car or two, then I would bring them into my classrooms and ask my teachers to hang them on the wall.I was horrible with art and drawing pictures, so

Happy Halloween Everyone! 2014-10-31 20:01:00.000 - Michael Kyle, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   At around 10:50 this morning the Mount Washington Observatory deck camera caught a glimpse of an extraterrestrial and he was wasn't alone. Shortly after that, the two extraterrestrials ran into weather observer and education specialist Mike Carmon who was outside taking an observation. Mike explained to the two extraterrestrials that he was outside performing an hourly weather observation that collects a variety of weather variables used in a METAR report. These reports are just one of thousands of reports that are made simultaneously across the country. The METAR

First 100 mph Wind of the Season Looming? 2014-10-30 18:35:00.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   So far this week much of our attention is focused on the potential for a powerful Nor'easter to slide just east of New England this weekend, with the first 100 mph winds of the season looking like a distinct possibility. The storm will begin to develop off the Carolina coastline tomorrow, with rapid strengthening as it moves northeast towards the Gulf of Maine Saturday. At this point in time, models are keeping the system too far east for a direct hit on the summit

Bring It! 2014-10-29 16:54:00.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Another Wednesday, another return trip to the summit of Mount Washington. Our shift is back on top, and we left things quite an icy mess last Wednesday when we departed. However, we returned to find that most of the snow and ice that had accumulated over the last week is now a distant memory, thanks to temperatures in the 40s along with rain and fog. Will this glimpse of more summer-like conditions last long? Not at all. As I compose these thoughts, temperatures are swiftly falling through the 30s,

I love winter 2014-10-27 20:23:00.000 - Arielle Ahrens, Summit Intern   This past week has been AWESOME. We've had varying forms of frozen precipitation throughout the week. Today was definitely the best day though. We had rime and glaze ice forming throughout the day which required us to go up to the top of the tower at least once an hour to de-ice the instruments. It was a lot of fun going outside in the winds and the fog. I would only be outside for a few minutes, but I would come back with ice accumulated on my jacket. It

Snowy Sunday 2014-10-26 19:18:00.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   This area of low pressure has brought some snow accumulation to the summit! Since yesterday, we've received just over an inch of snow, as well as plenty of rime ice. It certainly feels like a winter wonderland at 6,288 feet. In addition to the snow, there are other happenings on the summit that indicate we are heading into the winter season. The Mt. Washington Auto Road has closed for the season, and the Cog Railway has adjusted their schedule. Furthermore, the Mt. Washington New Hampshire State Park buildings are