Wonderful Weekend Weather 2013-03-10 17:18:40.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL This weekend we have seen literally hundreds of hikers and skiers out making the most of the near perfect conditions. Both days have given us continuous sunshine, although with some high clouds present today, along with light winds and mild temperatures. It's certainly been a very pleasant break from the freezing fog, ice and howling gales we normally experience at this time of year. Glancing at the radar it looks like things will be changing soon enough though as a large mass of precipitation is slowly heading our

Data Quality 2013-03-09 16:41:52.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist This is BAD! Here at the Mount Washington Observatory, a fully-functioning mountaintop weather station, we are only as valuable as the quality data that we collect. Our instruments and observations are our life-blood, and it is a full time job (and then some) to ensure this data is of sound quality and flowing smoothly.Sometimes, ensuring quality data is an adrenaline-pumping challenge, ascending to the top of our tower in 100+ mph winds and heavy riming conditions to remove ice from our wind instruments. Although this is exhilarating and thrilling in its

It's that TIME again... 2013-03-08 17:57:20.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist EST left, Zulu right. Here on the rockpile, someone is always watching the clock. That 'someone' is usually the observer on duty who is responsible for starting each hourly observation no earlier than a quarter of the upcoming hour. Case in point, I just checked to see what time it is, and at 14:12 EST (or 2:12 PM eastern standard time) I know I have roughly a half hour before I need to get up, put on my gloves, hat, goggles and jacket, and head out the door

White Out Conditions on the Summit 2013-03-07 17:39:25.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Summit Intern Photo taken by Volunteer Tim Myers of the cat ride Yesterday's snow cat ride up to the summit was one of the most exciting I've had this winter. With 20 feet of visibility and extremely flat light, two observers walked out in front of the cat, hitting the posts that line the road to knock off the thick rime ice that built up on them. After this was done, it was very easy to see where the road was, but without these markers it was extremely challenging

Volunteer Comments 2013-03-06 23:13:22.000 - Joe Kayan,  Summit Volunteer NULL My first winter shift as a volunteer is about to end tomorrow. After experiencing 4 or 5 spring and fall weeks here with the Observatory summit crew, including a very memorable and exciting visit last October when Sandy roared thru, I was expecting and hoping for something dramatically different. Way below zero temperatures, white out snow/ wind conditions, the fearsome, incredible Wrath of Winter on Washington. The week started out as hoped for. Last Wednesday's storm was impressive enough by my valley standards to awe me. I helped change the

Fog 2013-03-05 17:11:06.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL It has been a long week of fog settled on the summit. Since arriving Wednesday, we have only seen three hours without fog. Average visibility has been under a 1/16th of a mile and feels like a blind fold has been placed over the summit. With not much to see outside, observations definitely take less time. However, constant fog and below freezing temperatures have allowed for ample amounts of rime ice to accumulate. De-icing the top of the tower can take a significant amount of time.Although our pitot tube anemometer

Aliens, Snow, and Food = Good Times! 2013-03-04 23:12:58.000 - Dave MacKenzie,  Summit Volunteer NULL So here I am on top of the 'Rock Pile' (sometimes known as Mt. Washington). Being indoors a bit this week, several thoughts have been brought out as to the origins of this 'rock pile'...Is this the un-completed work of the Aliens that came so many years ago, to build the Pyramids, but this pile got the low-bid Contractor, who couldn't figure out how to stack them into the proper shape, as was done in Egypt? And so this guy just threw them in a

Cabin Fever 2013-03-03 18:22:23.000 - Michael Kyle,  Summit Intern NULL For the past four day's fog has engulfed the summit. Repetitive forecasts have made the days long and redundant, leaving some of us with a case of 'cabin fever'. However, if you think about it, cabin fever isn't the appropriate term to use. According to the Merriam-Webster's dictionary, cabin fever is defined as 'extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time.'While the observatory is an isolated location and the current observers and volunteers have yet to leave the summit this week,

Staying On The Summit 2013-03-02 23:07:59.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL There are a couple of good options if you'd like to spend an overnight on the summit of Mount Washington. There are the ever popular EduTrips with themes ranging from Weather Basics to Photography. On these trips, transportation to and from the summit is provided via the Mount Washington Observatories Snow Cat. However, if you prefer a slower pace, you can join one of the Partner Led Climbing trips, where you get to hike to the summit with professional guides.All of these trips include a snack and

The Journey Is A Destination 2013-03-01 19:37:09.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist 5.4 miles away from my second home. This past week, I got to hang out with a former Observatory coworker of mine, Jim Salge. Long time followers of the Observer Comments will know this name and probably know many of his images that he captured during his time up here. Currently, Jim teaches at a High School in the south of the state; however, in his spare time, he has become a notable New England nature photographer (a topic he will be leading during his EduTrip on March