Mount Washington Observatory Observer Blog
Inspiring Curiosity in Weather and Climate
Inspiring Curiosity in Weather and Climate 2021-12-14 21:04:14.000 - Jacquelyn Bellefontaine, Weather Observer & Education Specialist One of my favorite parts of the week occurs on Tuesdays at 11:15 am, when our Home of the World’s Worst Weather Live! program takes place. This free virtual classroom series was developed in 2020 as a way for young students (and any life-longer learners!) to engage with Mount Washington Observatory staff as we present on a variety of weather and climate topics. The program was met with great enthusiasm from school systems as well as the general public, and it has
Dear Santa….
Dear Santa.... 2021-12-10 20:10:48.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist Dear Santa- Where did the year go? It seems like just yesterday I was writing to you and yet, here we are once again with me in charge of writing to you with our Observatory Christmas List. Since this will be the fifteenth time I have written to you in my (nearly) sixteen years up here, I have the process down to an exact science: 1. Hand written note mailed out to you no later than November first. 2. Email sent to you no later than Thanksgiving. 3.
Thoughts On My Time At the Summit
Thoughts On My Time At the Summit 2021-12-06 16:05:30.000 - Sam Gawel, Summit Intern As one of three interns this fall, it hurts to acknowledge these next few days are my last on the summit. I have been working here since September, and these months have proved to be some of the most formidable of my life. The experiences have greatly shaped the long-term vision of my future, as I now move forward with great confidence that I will pursue graduate education in meteorology upon completing my BA in environmental and earth sciences in 2023, and aspire to a
What in TARNation?
What in TARNation? 2021-12-01 16:29:25.000 - Jackie Bellefontaine, Weather Observer & Education Specialist Have you ever wondered why there are small lakes scattered throughout the White Mountains? Examples such as Hermit Lake, Lonesome Lakes, and the Lakes of the Clouds are actually glacier features called tarns. Tarns are defined as lakes, ponds, or pools that from in glacially carved cirques. Cirques are erosional features that have an amphitheater-like shape, such as Tuckerman Ravine. Obviously, there are no glaciers found in the White Mountains today, but until about 12,000-14,000 years ago, a large continental ice sheet known as the
New Normals Reveal Valley and Summit Temperature Increases, Among Other Climate Trends
New Normals Reveal Valley and Summit Temperature Increases, Among Other Climate Trends By Brian Fitzgerald, Director of Science & Education | November 15, 2021 Chances are, you’ve heard a meteorologist refer to weather conditions as near, above, or below “normal.” But just what is normal for where you live? Who gets to say? How is it even determined? Every 10 years, the National Centers for Environmental Information [(NCEI) formerly known as the National Climatic Data Center] are charged with generating climate statistics known as U.S. Climate Normals, based on requirements from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and National
Partnerships Key to Continuous Mesonet Operation
Partnerships Key to Continuous Mesonet Operation By Peter Gagne, Technology & Operations Manager | November 15, 2021 An AMC helicopter airlifts 150-pound batteries plus other heavy items to Mizpah Spring and Lakes of the Clouds huts on Sept. 13. Ringo Starr was mostly the silent, steady figure in the Greatest Band of all Time, but one line from a Beatles’ song that featured his vocals is particularly pertinent to our topic: “Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.” During my time at the Observatory, we have partnered with many businesses, organizations, and universities to
Weather 101: Tropical Storms
Weather 101: Tropical Storms By Nicole Tallman, Past Weather Observer & Education Specialist | November 15, 2021 An example of a hurricane’s eye and surrounding eye wall, where the most ferocious winds of the storm occur. NOAA photo. Come late summer and early fall, we begin to hear more about activity in the tropics. The threat of hurricanes becomes more prominent and you may find yourself thinking about how and why these storms are forming. One of the strongest storms known to people, a hurricane begins its life cycle as a cluster of thunderstorms in the tropical or
The Science Behind Nor’Easters
The Science Behind Nor'Easters The Science Behind Nor'Easters Extra-Tropical Cyclones and the Extreme Weather they Make on Mount Washington The Feb. 25, 2019 Hays Chart shows a 171 mph wind gust, caused by the passage of an ETC and the development of a secondary area of low pressure, which is characteristic of a nor’easter. Unique beasts known for punishing weather, nor’easters serve an important purpose for our globe despite their infamous reputation. A type of extra-tropical cyclone (ETC), nor’easters get their colloquial name from unique localized characteristics, mainly the coastal northeast flow that occurs before the onset of
With Shoulder Season Comes Critical Transition in Operations
With Shoulder Season Comes Critical Transition in Operations 2021-11-08 18:34:34.000 - Sam Robinson, Weather Observer/Engineer Shoulder season is underway for us at the Mount Washington Observatory and it can certainly be a hectic time of year, posing unique challenges in regards to transportation to the summit of Mount Washington. Although most folks are enjoying fall weather at low elevations, winter is starting to bare its teeth at high elevations. As reported in my Oct. 25 Higher Summits Forecast, “a general 2 to 5 inches of snow is expected across the higher summits with higher amounts possible with upslope enhancement,
Bucket List Item Checked Off!!
Bucket List Item Checked Off!! 2021-10-26 04:46:45.000 - Matthew Addison, Weather Observer Greetings friends, my name is Matthew Addison, the newest Night Observer/Meteorologist here at the Mount Washington Observatory. When I began my meteorology career 26 years ago while serving in the United States Air Force, I heard about Mount Washington and how it was the “Home of the Worst Weather.” Through the years, me and my colleagues would always talk about one day working for the Observatory; however, I had to put it on my “bucket list” as I decided to make the Air Force my career. Now,
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