Thermometer Calibration 101 2008-04-11 21:12:25.000 - Matthew Morin,  Space Grant Intern Calibration equipment I recently received an email from someone interested in how I calibrated the sling psychrometer used in the verification process of the ARVP stations. It was later decided that my response to the email would make a good observer comment because it provides an in depth look at how technical weather observation and research can be. To assure quality data being logged and reported by the seven ARVP sites, I set out to personally verify the data using a calibrated sling psychrometer. On my hike up the

A Backcountry Adventure 2008-04-10 17:15:37.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer A different view As most people reading this already know, Wednesdays are shift change days for the summit crew. So, Tuesdays during my week off are my day to prepare myself. I prepare all my clothes and gear for my week on the summit. I begin to prepare the home that I have so graciously been allowed to live in, for a week without my presence. Some weeks I also have to prepare by paying the right bills before I leave if they have due dates while I am away. This

Kinney 2008-04-09 07:53:18.000 - Summit Volunteer,  Summit Volunteers NULL We love to travel and have had the good fortune to see many places in the world, not to say we're world travelers, but none compare to this one. The time is drawing near for us to leave after our 6th opportunity to volunteer here on the 'Rock Pile' and it is hard to imagine anyone looking forward to leaving. The week has been busy with cooking for the crew and four groups as well as cleaning and reorganizing. As always, the weather provided all the ingredients to make the stay

NULL 2008-04-08 00:34:22.000 - Kyle Paddleford,  Observer My first week back from vacation was a good one. It was nice to see the crew again at the base of the Auto Road Wednesday morning and plus it was snowing. The vacation was both good and bad. The good part was that I got to go to Utah, ski deep snow, (as if I needed to leave NH for that!) and see some friends that I have not seen in over a year. The bad part was that I was not on the summit to experience the 145 mph wind gust

Royal Sunset 2008-04-06 08:28:30.000 - Ryan Buckley,  Summit Intern Last night’s sunset was the most spectacular sunset that I have ever seen. With an undercast covering the west landscape the sun sank beneath the clouds. Accents of gold turned into colors as noble as Phoenician Purple.The clock stuck three (obs time) and I was gone, 10 hours of work behind me, I geared up for a peaceful time alone in the mountains. Thoughts scattered from weeks of working on a project riddled with road blocks, the realization of turning 21, the up coming summer classes in the city and for

In Need of Change 2008-04-05 16:20:03.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer From FZFG to BKN/// This mountain is a very inspiring place – it is unfortunate that now is not one of those times for me. I’ve been trying to think of something to write, but not much is coming. I’m experiencing one of those rare “more of the same” feelings. Observations come every hour, and I go outside to make sure that things are as they should be…the continued formation of rime and glaze ice on the instruments needs to be knocked off again, freezing drizzle is still blowing

spring 2008-04-03 12:41:18.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer 4:15 am EST rolls around and I roll (or hop, seeing how I’m on the top bunk) out of bed. It is the beginning of a new week, Kyle is back from his vacation, and I’m back on days for the week. All reasons to be happy and joyful. However, upon waking, I must admit to some crankiness. We were in and out of the clouds, temperatures were around four degrees above zero (a warm start to this week compared to our last week on the summit) and winds were blowing at close

Rain, sleet, 100 mph winds, and lightning... at the same time! 2008-04-02 01:11:24.000 - Matthew Morin,  Space Grant Intern Hays chart At 15 minutes before the synoptic hours (00:00, 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00 UTC), the observer must retrieve the precipitation can in order to measure the 6-hour accumulation. This task, normally simple during the warm season, is often times difficult and somewhat risky this time of year due to icy conditions and high winds. Today we had both, but to a greater degree than usual. Spring is a “transition” season where there are frequent clashes of warm and cold air

Volunteer Thoughts 2008-03-31 23:08:35.000 - Ed OMalley,  Summit Volunteer The Obs. I grew up on the coast of New Jersey (and live there still), ocean on one side, bay on the other. Ever since I was little, I've liked the water. The fact that my parents took me in the ocean when I was just a baby probably didn't hurt! For many years, I've spent a lot of time in, on, under and near the water - usually salt, but sometimes fresh. Sailing, fishing, swimming, diving, kayaking... - you get the idea. Consequently, I was almost always near the coast,

Sunset and Crampons 2008-03-30 21:24:20.000 - John Bauhs,  Summit Volunteer Sunset. Today's comments offer a discussion relating crampons and sunsets. If you're notfamiliar with crampons, they're boot spikes that can take a sedate pair of snowboots and transform them into frightening-looking agents of destruction. Imagineangry shark's teeth on the bottom of your feet. Now, you may be asking yourself,what could crampons and sunsets possibly have anything to do with each other?Prior to my first visit to the Mt. Washington Observatory last October, I had neverimagined that I would own a pair of crampons. As you might imagine, crampons reallyaren't needed