Dreams and Sunsets 2008-09-09 02:16:16.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer Inside a Sunset Looking Out This morning I had a refreshing night’s sleep, however confusing that may sound. So it goes when you work nights. The previous nights had been a bit restless regarding dreams. The problem was one of computer programming. After working on a project involving the Auto Road and Mesonet site verifications, my mind was racing with thoughts of how to solve problem x or what are steps y and z now that x has finally been solved. Dreams at this point became very linear; not the

weather discussion 2008-09-07 18:25:17.000 - Jeff Wehrwein,  Summit Intern Island in the sun. Yesterday was a return to the days of early August, when rain and fog were a daily occurrence. Even the temperature was reminiscent of August, peaking just below 60 degrees. At the morning synoptic today, our first rain of the month had already accumulated to 2.07 inches over the preceding 24 hours. The average monthly precipitation for September is 8.55 inches, so we received nearly a quarter of our quota in one day. This wet weather was brought to us by the remnants of Hurricane Hanna (and

Child's Play 2008-09-06 20:34:49.000 - Jordan Scampoli,  Summit Intern NULL Hello there – this is Jordan Scampoli and I am the newest fall intern here on the summit. I graduated last May from St. Michael’s College in Vermont with a degree in mathematics. Now I know you may think this is strange - a mathematician where a meteorologist should be, but I assure you, they’ve got some work cut out for me up here! nnToday was my third full day on the summit, and I must say that I believe that my first few days have been a little more

Painting 2008-09-05 21:38:09.000 - Steve Welsh,  IT Observer Mount Washington summit from Lakes of the Clouds With summer rapidly drawing to a close we are taking every opportunity to finish off our outside task list. Since it was warm and mostly fog free today we were all busy with outdoor painting tasks. Jordan and I spent a few hours this afternoon giving the top of the parapet a fresh coat of safety red paint. After a winter of being hit with a crowbar, to remove rime and glaze ice, it was certainly in need of a touch up. We soon

outreach plug 2008-09-04 17:01:56.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer NULL It is that time of year. Ever since I was five, nothing has ever been more exciting than starting a new school year. New teachers, new people, new subjects, new books, new supplies, and of course, the back to school outfit. Once I got older, supplies began to include scientific and graphing calculators as well as kitchen appliances and dry food goods that would last a semester (about forty boxes of Ramen Noodles). Every year, since beginning kindergarten, the night before the first day of school has been a restless night.

More Volnteer Experiences 2008-09-03 10:49:39.000 - Jim Lobley,  Summit Volunteer Posing with the tower in the background If you have ever climbed the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to summit Mount Washington or visited here via the auto road or cog railway, then you already know how fickle she can be. Visibility of over 130 miles with 4 - 6 mph winds and 60 degree temperatures can change in a day to zero visibility, 80 - 85 mph winds, and 40 degree temperatures. That is her true beauty. However, this note isn't about the mountain, rather it's about spending eight days with

Volunteer Experience 2008-09-02 15:06:22.000 - John Raines,  Summit Volunteer Holding the famous Marty In this brief space I would like to make some comments about my week volunteering at the Mount Washington Observatory. I will skip comments about the natural beauty, the sunsets and the awesome power of nature. That is a given and that is what has drawn me back to this place time after time for more years than I wish to tell. Rather, I want to tell you all how impressed I am with the total professionalism of the summit staff, the science they perform on a

Extremes Are Relative 2008-09-01 16:12:46.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer Yesterday was a fairly breezy day on the summit. The combination of high pressure building in and low pressure departing to the northeast has been creating an increased pressure gradient over the region and therefore some moderate wind speeds on the summit.Moderate by our standards, that is.I mention this because yesterday was one of those days that showed me how much my standard of extremes has changed since I started living and working on Mount Washington. Winds yesterday afternoon were sustained around 50-55 mph with gusts up to 65 or 70.

Day Five 2008-08-31 16:47:53.000 - Mike Carmon,  Summit Intern NULL Saturday was a full yet satisfying day for me at the Observatory. I led my first tour, helped with tons of observations, and recorded a forecast (everyone back home in Jersey was thrilled with that news). I’ll be recording my own forecasts soon enough. I have to admit I’ve learned more in a week than I have in the three months since I’ve graduated college, and I haven’t had a bad experience yet. nnMy fourth night on the summit was definitely the noisiest, and it had nothing to do with

What to do with what is left of summer. 2008-08-30 04:10:10.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist Crawford Notch Bear I saw. Any time I want to see my family or past friends, I have to fly. These are not quick puddle jumper type flights; these are cross country excursions that take 6 to 8 hours out of my life. To past the time I play video games, watch movies and read everything. I can’t tell you how many times I have read that safety information card in the seat back pocket. In addition, when I run out of my reading