Current Operations Q and A 2014-10-11 18:34:00.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   As you may have seen on our Facebook page, Twitter page, Webcams, local news, or in person, the summit has received a coating of snow and rime over the past few days. And reading through emails and comments on our social media pages, this has raised a few questions.For example, is this normal?Yes! October is typically when the summit(s) start seeing measurable amounts of snow with Mount Washington's first inch usually falling right around the start of the month.If you look at our F-6 Monthly Data page

Gambling with Wind 2014-10-10 19:27:00.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Last night as the winds continued to climb higher, we gathered around the Current Summit Conditions monitor in our living quarters and made bets as to what the highest gust would be within the next 12 hours. Andrew said 92mph, I guessed 94mph, Mike and Arielle both called 95mph, Ryan claimed 97mph, our volunteer Jill suspected 99mph, and our docent Larry was sure it'd gust to well over 100mph (unfortunately our other volunteer Amy was busy making the best curry I've ever consumed to hear that we were

Freefallin'! 2014-10-09 20:06:00.000 - Arielle Ahrens, Summit Intern   It seems as though we beat the other shift to 100+ mph speeds this season... During our off-week, we all went skydiving together! We joined Skydive New England last Monday morning for a shift adventure. Ryan and Mike Dorfman have both been skydiving before, but it was the first time for Kaitlyn and I. It was probably the scariest and the coolest thing I've ever done. The first 45-60 seconds after jumping out of the plane were spent in free fall. We quickly approached ~120 mph, close to terminal velocity. Terminal

Goodbye to Summer, Hello to Winter 2014-10-08 20:20:00.000 - Mike Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   This morning, I was startled awake at 4:40 by an extremely loud clap of thunder.While most people would roll over in their bed and fall back asleep, I knew my alarm was going to go off in another five minutes, so I sat up and enjoyed the show!I slowly packed the rest of my gear in my bag, trying not to wake up my girlfriend as the lightning lit up the room like a strobe.After saying goodbye for the week, I was off and driving

A memorable Summer 2014-10-07 23:11:00.000 - Jan Berriochoa, Summit Museum Attendant   Fall may have arrived down in the valley, but winter is rapidly approaching here on the summit. With the change in seasons I come to the end of a wonderful season working for the Mount Washington Observatory as a Summit Museum Attendant. I am melancholy about departing the summit. This experience has been educational, exciting, breathtaking, unique and most of all memorable. Being a member/volunteer/staff for the observatory I can only say how spectacular it is and has been.   Jan Berriochoa, Summit Museum Attendant

My First Exposure to Rime Ice 2014-10-06 18:06:00.000 - Caleb Meute, Summit Intern   Well I must say, my first exposure to rime ice and deicing our tower has me pretty excited for the upcoming winter. Rime ice is one of the most common weather phenomena up here on the summit, and also one of the big reasons our observatory needs to be staffed 24/7. The phenomenon occurs when super cooled water droplets move over the summit. These tiny droplets of water are able to stay in liquid state at temperatures below freezing, but as soon as they collide with

When Is The Next Big Snow Storm 2014-10-05 19:01:00.000 - Michael Kyle, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Unlike most people, winter is my favorite season. So as a discloser if you are someone who is still holding onto summer you might want to stop reading now. Around this time every year I get the itch forsnow. After months of hot summer days, nothing seems more desirable than some snow. After all, snow storms are what started my passion for meteorology, so for me it is distressing going months without it. There have been a few days when we have seen snow

New Hampshire's 48 4K's 2014-10-04 14:38:00.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   What is a challenge? In searching around for definitions, the one that struck me most was 'a summons that is often threatening, provocative, stimulating, or inciting.' Recently, I completed a challenge that, for me, was right in line with this definition, although the summons was given by myself, so we'll call it a self-challenge. As any avid hiker that frequents the numerous trails amidst the White Mountains of New Hampshire will attest to, a great challenge to face is completing the New Hampshire 4000-footers. New Hampshire is

Changes on the Horizon 2014-10-03 19:27:00.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   After a several day stretch of beautiful weather with mild temperatures, light winds, and mostly sunny skies, changes are on the horizon. A cold front will march east tomorrow and cross our area during the evening, with the higher summits likely going into the clouds and rain transitioning to mixed precipitation and snow showers as temperatures fall below freezing by Sunday. Today was a picture perfect fall day atop New England, with plenty of color in the surrounding valleys below. There was a noticeable difference in color from

From Pennsylvania to New Hampshire 2014-10-02 18:57:00.000 - Caleb Meute, Summit Intern   I spent the last couple of weeks in southeastern Pennsylvania where the leaves have not yet turned to the color of fall. My drive north was spectacular, as I was able to see a vivid color change amongst all of the trees. Unfortunately, I was "that guy" taking pictures with one hand on the phone and the other on the wheel. Don't worry, 60 percent of the time, my eyes were on the road the whole time. Driving up the mountain was also quite enjoyable during Wednesday's