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

Ice Storms 2014-04-05 17:45:13.000 - Tom Padham,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL Freezing rain events on the summit are relatively uncommon, since in order for freezing rain to occur temperatures at the summit need to be below freezing while above the summit has a deep layer of above freezing temperatures. Most often this layer of above freezing air is shallow and the summit may see sleet or wet snow. Last night into this morning was an unusual freezing rain event due to the long duration of the freezing rain seen on the summit, and how cold the temperatures were with the freezing

Spring is Here? 2014-04-04 06:56:11.000 - Samuel Hewitt,  Summit Intern NULL Despite the occasional frontal boundary, high pressure has been in control over the last few days, resulting in very pleasant conditions. Temperatures Monday rose to 34 degrees, followed by 29 on Tuesday and 31 on Wednesday. When our shift arrived at the summit Wednesday, it was the first time since probably late October or November that we were able to step out of the snowcat without having to wear a hat, gloves, or our ski goggles. For the first time in months while walking up and down the tower,

Spring Is In The Air 2014-04-02 18:12:01.000 - Michael Kyle,  Weather Observer NULL All though the weather conditions might not be as tranquil as Weather Observer Rebecca Scholand was humorously referring to in yesterday's observer comment; spring is truly in the air here on the summit. Since today is shift change day, it was surprising to return to the summit and see the snow melting and temperatures in the mid-twenties. While I love experiencing Mount Washington's extreme winter weather, spring and summer bring a whole different type of extreme weather. Thunderstorm and severe weather season is quickly approaching us here