Observing the Weather At A Different Latitude 2013-08-02 21:38:57.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Observer the weather above Gullfoss, Iceland. For a week at a time I am on the summit of Mount Washington observing and forecasting the weather. However, when I leave the summit, my "instinct" of observing and forecasting never really goes away. When I wake up every morning during my off week, instead of reaching for a newspaper, I instead find myself downloading weather maps, pulling up various weather apps, and looking at current and future conditions in the day or days ahead. This helps bring peace

Perspective 2013-08-01 18:25:06.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien,  Summit Intern NULL One of many intern duties is to provide tours of the Observatory to our supportive members. During the first week of my internship, I shadowed several tours given by seasoned observers and I remember thinking, 'How can I possibly remember all of these facts, dates, and the order in which the information should be presented?' Now that I have given countless tours to members of all ages, I can rehearse the entire spiel in my sleep. I've even learned how to tailor the information for different age groups as well as

August Already? 2013-07-31 18:15:20.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Is it really almost August already? It seems like two shifts ago we were just moving into July with Seek the Peak on the horizon. There is no doubt that this summer has been busy and will continue to be. What that means for Observers is staying on top of our game and preparing for winter as it is just around the corner. Taking advantage of getting outside to fix equipment and install new data collection centers for this upcoming winter is crucial while we still have the daylight

Mt. Washington: The Epitome of New England's Variable Weather 2013-07-30 15:34:25.000 - Matthew Cann,  Summit Intern Clear View vs. Fog View New England is known for it's variability in weather; how the region can see all four seasons in a matter of days. For instance, a typical March in New England can include a blizzard, single-digit wind chills, 80 degree heat, and destructive flooding. With weather that can change in the blink of an eye, it is very important to frequently check the weather. The importance becomes even greater when dealing with severe weather. Yesterday we observed a line of

Undercast at Sunset 2013-07-29 15:44:06.000 - Luke Davis,  Summit Intern Ocean of Clouds It's been another eventful week on the rockpile. Arriving at the base last Wednesday, at 8 A.M. and after 5 hours of driving, I was as tired as ever. We were socked in by the time we reached the summit, and it seemed like another dull, drizzly day was in store. But one thing I've learned here is to always be prepared for the unexpected, and to know that the dullest days can turn into the most extraordinary in an instant. In this case, a thick fog

Making Decisions in the Backcountry 2013-07-27 18:11:26.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer NULL After taking an AIRE Avalanche I class this winter, some of the most important material I learned wasn't about avalanches themselves but rather decision making in the backcountry. Sometimes weather changes slowly and there are subtle clues that bad weather may be moving in. If you've ever been hiking before bad weather moves through, it's easy to ignore what's happening above you until you're surrounded by fog, and possibly endangering yourself. Taking a notebook with you on your hike can allow you to jot down cloud cover,

Enjoy Summer While it Lasts! 2013-07-26 17:07:48.000 - Tom Padham,  Summit Intern Sunset and Undercast on Wednesday After two relatively nice days, (and two beautiful sunsets in a row) we've returned back to foggy conditions on the summit. A coastal system is passing by to our east, which is unusual for summer. Storms similar to this one are much more common in the winter, when they are called 'Nor'easters', a familiar term to most people in New England, which often bring heavy snow and gusty winds from the northeast. This past winter in particular saw plenty of strong Nor'easters for

Seek the Peak '13 Recap 2013-07-25 14:54:03.000 - Cara Rudio,  Director of Advancement STP '13 Despite an ominous forecast predicting hurricane-force winds, severe thunderstorms and hail, an estimated 400 hikers and their families came out for Mount Washington Observatory's 13th annual Seek the Peak hike-a-thon July 19-21. To avoid the dangerous conditions, participants were directed to hike on Sunday instead of the usual Saturday ascent, and were rewarded for their efforts with more than $30,000 in prizes and incentives, as well as a huge after party with live music and an all-you-can-eat feast. The event was presented by Eastern Mountain

ATTENTION: ALL SCIENCE LOVERS! 2013-07-24 14:22:36.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist An Osprey In Flight. Tonight (Wednesday) at our free Weather Discovery Center in North Conway Village at 7PM marks the second program in our annual free series 'Science in the Mountains: A Passport to Science.' Iain MacLeod, the Executive Director of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center presents 'Project OspreyTrack: Using Satellite Transmitters to Track New Hampshire Ospreys.' Iain's program will provide an in-depth look at his research tracking the amazing and hazardous migrations of ospreys who travel annually between New Hampshire and South America. If you can't

Observing the Observers 2013-07-23 17:11:05.000 - Donald Kollisch,  Summit Volunteer Tower on the summit. Being a first-time volunteer on the summit is like being a guest in someone else's house. Our ostensible job is to cook and clean and enjoy the activities. The secret and hidden job is to figure out how to fit into a complex, efficient, and friendly system that is designed and has evolved to get certain results. We volunteers are an important part of that system, but it is important for us to figure out how to best fit in. So, here is a novice's guide