Warmth Returns 2012-04-16 23:22:37.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL This winter has been my 6th winter season spent working on the mountain, and in all that time, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly the summit can change 'faces. In other words, how quickly it can go from mid-winter conditions one day to mid-summer the next, or vice versa. This can be especially true during transition seasons. This change of 'faces' has certainly occurred in very dramatic fashion over the last 24 to 36 hours.I wrote a few days ago about how impressive the changes have been

New Challenges 2012-04-15 00:58:29.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Footprints in the snow Although today may not be a traditional shift change day, it is shift change day for me, in more ways than one. I am heading off the mountain for a quick set of days off. Starting on Wednesday I will be returning and joining the other shift as a new member. After working with my current shift since I began here on the summit I will miss them, but will have shift change days to look forward to. The reason I am switching shifts is due

Changes 2012-04-14 00:06:23.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Drifting around the Tip Top House When I left the mountain on March 17 to start my vacation, we were just heading into a long stretch of extremely unseasonable warmth. Knowing this, and the fact that the outlook for the rest of March was for continued warmth, I figured that by the time I returned on April 11, the mountain would look very different than it did when I left it. As is often the case, Mount Washington had some surprises up her proverbial sleeve.Today was actually the first snowless day

Big Wind Day 2012-04-12 18:43:46.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL I would be remiss in writing today's comment about anything other than the single event that was, without a doubt, the most important in the history of Mount Washington Observatory: The Big Wind. Today is, of course, the anniversary of The Big Wind, which is how we affectionately refer to the highest wind speed that we have ever recorded here on Mount Washington. April 12, 1934 was the date, and 231 miles per hour was the wind speed.If you follow Mount Washington related news at all, then you

Winter Wonderland 2012-04-11 19:28:51.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Operations Assistant Snow Covered Summit Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I had not decided to join the Mount Washington Observatory team almost two years ago. I think about all the once in a lifetime experiences I never would have seen or experienced. I ponder what I might think a windy day was like, or what cold really feels like. Luckily, I became an Intern in the spring of 2010 and have been here ever since. Today I was able to add another once in a life time experience

These April showers don't bring May flowers 2012-04-10 17:30:23.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist A patient Marty Winter is back with a vengeance.As of 2PM this afternoon, we had received a total of 22.8 inches of snow since we arrived on Wednesday, with 16.7 inches of that coming in the last three days from a persistent low pressure system that has sat and badgered New England for days.In my trek to the precipitation can last night, I was amazed to find a drift up to my chest waiting right outside the front entrance to the Sherman Adams building. With no

Winter, anyone? 2012-04-09 15:38:04.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Summit Intern Marty looking on, waiting for the snow to end. And now an update on day four of our shift week now named 'operation low pressure system wandering aimlessly across New England.' Okay, so let me explain. Since Friday a low pressure system has worked itself backwards- that's right, backwards, from north of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and has trailed southwestward toward Quebec, slowly deepening and intensifying. The result: consistent winds from the northwest in the 50 to 70 MPH range, constant thick fog and moderate snow now totaling 15.9 inches and

More Fog 2012-04-08 15:22:14.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Marty after his treats As Mike alluded to in yesterday's comment we have certainly seen a change in the weather this shift. The past few days have become very monotonous indeed with continuous thick freezing fog, blowing snow and light falling snow. The weather doesn't look much better for the rest of the shift either, at this rate we'll have to get the Snow Cat back out.Talking of cats our resident feline has been very sprightly the past few days, guess he can sense that spring is coming and he'll

A Mundane Weather Week 2012-04-07 17:04:59.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Our view this week We most certainly got spoiled during our last shift, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s and lots of sunshine to be had. I was enjoying donning our lighter summer gear rather than dressing for battle before every outdoor venture.This shift has been a snap back to reality, as the mercury has been lingering in the teens for most of the week, with plenty of freezing fog and snow gracing the summit. The summertime landscape that seemed to be taking shape last shift has returned

Having a bad day? Fly a kite! 2012-04-06 17:03:13.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Summit Intern An afternoon kite flight on the observation deck. It's hard to complain about your job when you live atop one of the most spectacular mountains in the country and get to experience the raw intensity of mother nature so regularly just outside your door- yet it's been a quiet first couple days on our shift, with few visitors, and only four of us (including one member/volunteer) occupying the now roomy observatory. So, needless to say, things can get a little monotonous, especially when it's the third