A little bit about the barographs at Mount Washington Observatory 2011-09-02 19:40:43.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Barograph at Mount Washington Observartory Invented in 1843 by the Frenchman Lucien Vidie, a barograph is a scientific instrument used in meteorology to measure and record atmospheric pressure over time.The barographs at Mount Washington Observatory use aneroid cells acting through lever a train to drive a recording arm that has, at its extreme end a pen. A pen records on paper using ink, held in a knib. The recording chart is mounted on a cylindrical drum which is rotated slowly by clockwork.

Summit Firsts 2011-09-01 18:27:35.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Not an every day sight. By not being here during Irene, I missed out on an opportunity to experience a personal first on the mountain: a 100+ mph wind in the summer time. Sure, over the last 4 years that I have worked as a full-time staff member, I have experienced numerous winds exceeding the century mark. However, even as my fifth summer on the mountain draws to a close, I still have not been here for winds of that magnitude during our summer months of June through September. Several

Planning after Irene 2011-08-31 23:10:59.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist The sun sets on yet another day. It's been three days since Hurricane Irene impacted the east coast but it is still very much on everyone's mind since driving around New England is like a giant maze with so many road closures due to washouts. Since today was shift change day for the two crews on the summits, it was dominate conversation piece for most of the morning. The upcoming crew talked about what routes they had to map out to get here while the down going shift was talking

NULL 2011-08-30 23:24:59.000 - Joe Dipoli,  Summit Volunteer Pete and I arrived on Tuesday of this week at the Joe Dodge Lodge in time to celebrate the 89th birthday of a hiker finishing up the Appalachian Trail from Georgia. On Wednesday we drove up on the shift change and set to work planning meals and getting into the flow of operations on the "Rockpile".While our friends and family fretted about the forecast "Hurricane Winds" forecast for Sunday we looked at the windgauge and just shrugged. "Yeah, so what's your point"?On Friday, I decided to hike to the Lake of the

NULL 2011-08-30 00:07:59.000 - Peter Fisk,  Summit Volunteer NULL I am sure that those of us who volunteer for a 'hitch' at the Obs do so for a variety of reasons. Howling gales and sub-Arctic wind chills for some, rime ice and sleet for others. I sit at the opposite end of the spectrum so that yesterday was perfect. Clear skies, light winds, mild temps and views forever. I have to say I couldn't see Russia from here but I could see Vermont. The day was perfect for a couple of short hikes, one down towards Lakes of The Clouds

Irene again 2011-08-28 19:26:11.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NE totals as of 6:30 p.m. 8/28 She came, she saw, she drenched.I'm referring to Irene, of course...a storm with fury that rolled through most of the eastern U.S., dropping tremendous rainfall amounts and creating widespread wind damage all across these areas.There are so many reports of damage and flooding, it's hard to know where to start. North Carolina's Outer Banks receieved the worst the storm could dish out, as expected, with yet another new shape to the coastline chiseled out. Irene came ashore at Cape Lookout, and charged northward, with

Irene 3 2011-08-27 17:05:04.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Irene's massive span Irene's still coming!If you were hoping your collective hurricane/rain dances, etc., would ward off Hurricane Irene, I regret to inform you that they have not. Irene still has her sights set on New England, along with most of the rest of the eastern seaboard, and she does not intend to play nice.As of 5 p.m. EDT, Irene is a Category 1 Hurricane centered over the Outer Banks of N.C., and moving quickly towards the north. It is spreading rain bands as far north as southern NH. Boston has

Irene Closures 2011-08-26 16:31:40.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Irene's Projected Path In anticipation of Hurricane Irene and its potential effects on the region, several organizations have taken the following precautions:New Hampshire Fish and Game:'Due to the severity of this storm, N.H. Fish and Game Department Executive DirectorGlenn Normandeau is urging all outdoor enthusiasts to be out of the woods,off the water and headed for home by Saturday evening.'It is unlikely that search and rescue operations will be feasible duringthe height of the storm. For that reason, we are urging the public - whetheryou're hiking, camping, fishing or boating anywhere

Irene 1 2011-08-25 15:22:51.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Hurricane Irene NOTICE: Mount Washington State Park will close at 6 PM on Saturday August 27th in anticipation of potentially dangerous conditions during the passage of Hurricane Irene. The Appalachian Mountain Club will also close their hiker huts at this same time. The closings will continue through all of Sunday August 28th. The reopening of these facilities will depend on conditions following the storm.For updates and contact information please visit the following sites:Mount Washington State Park - http://www.nhstateparks.com/washington.htmlAppalachian Mountain Club - http://www.outdoors.org/ Our eye is on I-rene.Unless you've been living under

Winter is just around the corner. 2011-08-23 15:45:01.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist The descent has begun. By that, I mean the descent into winter! Ok, so maybe it's a little early to be talking about winter considering we haven't even really hit fall yet, but I have to admit it's been on my mind a lot this week. Waking up this morning to temperatures in the mid 30's made me think about it even more.The descent I am talking about though more specifically refers to the fact that, nearly two weeks ago, we reached our peak for the