From one Brian to Another 2012-09-02 18:10:14.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Brian Clark hard at work on his last ObsCast A lot has changed since I left the summit in April, but here at the Observatory I find myself once again focusing on the intricacies of the weather. For those loyal followers of the Mount Washington Observatory, you may recall another Brian on the summit this past winter, Brian Fitzgerald, the Winter Intern. Well after a fun spring and summer hiking and teaching around the White Mountains for the Appalachian Mountain Club- I'm back! Sadly, longtime Weather Observer,

I've got a couple of secrets I'm going to share 2012-09-01 19:39:56.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Waiting for geographic Summit - Tower in the back Labor Day weekend is the last big weekend of the summer before all of the kids who haven't already gone back to school head back so the Summit has been bustling with visitors today and with tomorrow predicted to be partly sunny I would expect more of the same tomorrow.As you can see from the picture the line to get to the geographic summit has been long today. After making their way up

What Do You See? 2012-08-31 16:42:20.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist A 'whale' sized lenticular. Is the cup half full or half empty or something else altogether? A question that has plagued people for centuries and depending on how you answer, it can define certain aspects of your personality, supposedly. If only given the first two options, I am usually a glass half full kind of guy. But, when I can provide an option outside of those two options, the scientific part of me usually thinks of the cup as completely full; the bottom half with a liquid, the top

Clear (but slightly windy) conditions! 2012-08-30 17:21:49.000 - Stephen Lanciani,  Summit Intern Active Hays wind chart Yesterday was the first day of my second shift as a fall intern, and I was treated to sub-freezing temperatures with wind chills in the teens upon arrival. Welcome back. If that's not a wake up call that winter is on its way, then I don't know what is. Winds have been going strong since yesterday and are steadily increasing today. We've seen sustained winds between 50 and 60 mph so far, gusting up to max of 73.8 mph around 3:30pm. For the record,

Back From Vacation 2012-08-29 23:35:18.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Today was the first day I have been on the mountain since August 8th. Since then, I had been on vacation. Back in the spring, I also took some vacation time for a 6,000 mile road trip across a good portion of the country. This time, my vacation time was not quite so unique. I went back to where I grew up: central PA. While I was there, I got to spend lots of time with family and friends, and also had the opportunity to coach some soccer

Volunteer Thoughts 2012-08-28 18:27:16.000 - Faye Doria & Mark Stevens,  Summit Volunteers NULL A few years ago, I met a hiker on a trail who had just finished a week as a MWOBS summit volunteer. I thought what a great adventure that would be. So, I investigated, became a MWOBS member, and worked my way up the volunteer list. And this week on the summit has been an adventure.We came a week ago, not really sure what we were getting into. It turns out we had a skeleton crew for the week since they are between interns, with observers on

Touring the Observatory 2012-08-27 19:20:27.000 - Cyrena Briede,  Director of Summit Operations NULL One of my favorite parts of this job so far has been the ability to give tours to our visiting Observatory Members. Whether your interest in Mount Washington is the history, the weather, or even Marty the cat, it's a real treat for me to meet the people who support us and support what we do. Often they are just as excited about being up here as we are, and it's great to see that enthusiasm from them. It doesn't matter if they are visiting for the

Fall Preview? 2012-08-26 18:37:03.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Saturday Sunset Summertime has it's advantages: warmer temperatures, longer days, and generally more placid weather. I have always loved summer, on the summit or in the valleys; particularly this year, as I've managed to knock 20 of NH's 48 4000-footers off my list.However, the meteorologist in me has been a little bored this summer, as our shift seems to have been given the less-than-desirable title of 'boring weather shift' this year. Don't get me wrong, I took full advantage of the 'boring' weather, but I'm getting a bit antsy for some

Summer is Comming to an End 2012-08-24 17:09:22.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL August is quickly coming to a close for us here on the Summit. When I return for my next shift it will be September and things will be quieter. As the last days of summer are quickly coming to a close, students are heading back to school and fall is just around the corner. With the wonderful weather we are having and should continue to have for the weekend now is the time for a pre-back to school visit to the summit. What better way

Hauling Clouds and Food 2012-08-23 15:11:50.000 - Eric Kelsey,  Director of Research NULL This morning's 40-50 mph winds were hauling thousands of tons of water up and over the summits. I took an early morning hike down near the head wall of Tuckerman's Ravine. I stood there and watched the northwest winds blowing curtains of cloud across Bigelow Lawn. The feathery bottoms of the clouds reached down toward the ground as if to tickle and excite the patches of Bigelow Sedge growing out of the rock crevasses. Upon decent into the ravine, the clouds evaporated into tiny wisps as though