Mount Washington Observatory Observer Blog
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,
Founding Day!
Founding Day! 2021-10-14 15:25:42.000 - Mount Washington Observatory Staff, Weather Observers Today we celebrate the founding of Mount Washington Observatory… Setting the stage on October 15, 1932, Bob Monahan, Sal Pagliuca, Alex MacKenzie, and Joe Dodge set up a permanent presence on the summit. Using funds obtained from a research grant and a few private donors, the Mount Washington Observatory was formally established, with a mission of advancing the understanding of weather, climate, and the mountain itself. Photo 1. Original four observers Just two years later, on April 12, 1934 the Observatory captured what was then
Some September Stats As We Transition Seasons
Some September Stats As We Transition Seasons 2021-10-06 08:12:23.000 - Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer and Meteorologist September has come to a close and with it comes some end-of-month stats. September Stats: September averages compared to 1991 – 2020 climate normals (NCEI) Temperature: The average temperature was 43.1° F with a departure from normal of 0.0. The highest temperature this month was 56°F on the 18th and the lowest temperature was 26° F on the 29th, which was also the first observed snowfall and glazing event on the summit of Mount Washington. The average high temperature for the month was
From Texas to New Hampshire
From Texas to New Hampshire 2021-09-28 03:30:42.000 - Adam Muhith, Summit Intern Howdy, y’all! My name is Adam Muhith and I am proud to be one of the new interns for the Fall 2021 season. I recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in environmental engineering, and I am so excited to begin my career in environmental research up here. I can’t think of a better place to do it.I’m from Houston, Texas, and this will be the first time I’ve ever spent a fall and winter out of state. I’m so excited to
First Week on the Summit!
First Week on the Summit! 2021-09-21 12:25:41.000 - Abigail Fitzgibbon, Summit Intern My name is Abigail Fitzgibbon and I’m absolutely thrilled to be interning for Mount Washington Observatory on the summit this fall. Having grown up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, I’m no stranger to extreme weather. As a kid, I loved watching storms roll in, often flooding my coastal town. I just graduated from UCLA where I studied geography & environmental studies with a focus on GIS and remote sensing. While in Southern California, I got to experience some amazing hiking, backpacking, and all around good times
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