There's a first time for everything 2014-04-16 19:14:16.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL It sure has been a busy week up here on the summit! There were a lot of 'firsts' that I've been able to check off the list as a full-time summit employee. This week, I coded the longest observation I've done so far. One afternoon, we had six different cloud layers, which is the maximum number of layers you can include in a METAR report. Additionally, there were several remarks that had to be included, specifically variable cloud cover, distant haze, and both altocumulus and

A Volunteer Week By The Numbers 2014-04-15 18:27:12.000 - Bill Ofsiany & Barbara Althe,  Summit Volunteers NULL Barbara Althen and I are finishing up our fourth summit volunteer shift. This one was the most spectacular we've experienced so far. The numbers say it all: 1 - the number of nights with Northern Lights 2 - the number of sunrises with 100 plus mile visibility and a pink alpenglow 3 - the number of hikes taken: Mt. Clay; Lion Head; Nelson Crag 4 - the number of sunrises and sunsets combined 5 - the number of sunny, clear days or half-days

See You Later, Observatory 2014-04-14 16:01:50.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer NULL As my final week wraps up, I want to thank everyone at the Observatory for giving an absolutely incredible and unforgettable 1.5 years on the summit. I have seen and learned an incredible amount and am very thankful for all of the wonderful people both up here on the summit and down in the valley that keep the Observatory's gears turning. If you want to stay overnight on the summit, the observatory has several options for you. Our winter and summer overnight trips allow attendees to spend a

Upcoming Lunar Eclipse 2014-04-13 16:33:25.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL The mainstream media and social media feeds are all abuzz about an upcoming 'Blood Moon' on Tuesday Morning (or Monday night for those of you who think 'morning' starts at sunrise). While a blood moon is being tossed around as an attention getter, in reality, the correct scientific terminology is simply a 'lunar eclipse.' A lunar eclipse is when the Moon passes into the shadow of the Earth.From a meteorological standpoint, studying the color of the moon during an eclipse is an interesting study in how much volcanic dust

The Big Wind: Looking back to a historic day 2014-04-12 18:39:01.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Today is a big day for the Observatory! Exactly 80 years ago today, the 231mph record wind was observed and recorded by Sal Pagliuca, Alex McKenzie, and Wendell Stephenson. Also joining the crew were 2 guests, Arthur Griffin and George Leslie. The fourth observer, Robert Stone, had to be transported down the mountain due to a skiing injury a few days before the record wind was observed. Reflecting on some of the journal entries from these brave observers, perhaps my favorite line

Another Beautiful Week on the Summit 2014-04-11 17:23:26.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer NULL I'm enjoying my last week here on the summit as my temporary position with the Mount Washington Observatory comes to an end. I've seen and learned so much since I started working with the Observatory in fall of 2012. I have walked (crawled) through 120+ mph winds, taken observations in -35 degree temperatures (with a -90 degree wind chill!), collected the precip can in fog so thick I can barely see my feet, and spent months learning about the human psyche while working nights. I couldn't

Busy Happenings on the Summit 2014-04-09 17:04:07.000 - Cyrena Briede,  Director of Summit Operations NULL My favorite thing about my job is that no two days are the same. Just a few months shy of my two year anniversary with the Observatory, I'm happy to say that this still very much applies today. So, just what have I done this past week?It started last Wednesday at shift change, which was Rebecca's last day on the summit, so naturally we threw her a little dinosaur themed surprise party. Thursday began with a monthly search and rescue working group meeting at Pinkham

Volunteer Thoughts 2014-04-09 06:17:08.000 - John Donovan,  Summit Volunteer NULL Completing my fourth Volunteer Week here on the Rockpile, I'm still amazed at all the new experiences there are to be had. On the second day of our shift, we had the pleasure of hosting an overnight trip for a group of climbers from faraway Denmark (Maine, that is). The group climbed up and down the mountain with warm beds and a great meal in between. The sunrises were spectacular, as were the sunsets. Weather changes constantly, as you would expect in New England, Winter to Spring and back to

2nd Ice Storm In Only 2 Days! 2014-04-07 20:22:03.000 - Tom Padham,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL Only 2 days ago I wrote a comment about the ice storm we saw and how ice storms are a relatively uncommon event on the summit. Mother nature must have heard me and felt spiteful, because another storm is about to begin this evening, with snow, sleet, freezing rain, and even plain rain all possible by tomorrow. This storm will have more precipitation than its predecessor, along with a bit warmer air. The summit will likely see plenty of glaze ice from freezing rain, making

Back In Action 2014-04-06 16:22:42.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL It's good to be back!After an unexpected absence for the first half of this shift, I re-joined my shift-mates this morning. No, it was not an impromptu vacation that kept me away, but a nasty illness. Sickness is something to very strictly and seriously guard against on the summit. For one, the altitude does have a noticeable effect on the body, often dragging out recovery time from illnesses. In addition, due to the close quarters in which we live, germs spread like wildfire, and I had no desire