NULL 2006-04-05 06:32:59.000 - Jim Salge,  Observer Drifts of snow... Well, this has truly been a classic spring elevation snowstorm, and while the heaviest precipitation took a slight veer to the east yesterday, the mountains have still cashed in. A quick recap of snowfall amounts, we'll go from low to high: Conway resided on the rain snow line, switching back and forth all day, accumulating a slushy mess. Jackson fared better, with some accumulation in the Village, but as much as 5 inches in the hills! Heading north, heading up...Pinkham Notch Picked up about 10 inches, and Hermit Lake in

NULL 2006-04-03 21:44:33.000 - Jim Salge,  Observer Hole in the clouds... Before I talk about the impending MAJOR snowstorm, I have to recount a natural phenomenon that we saw this afternoon! Through the day, we had been watching a layer of clouds work its way in from the west, and by afternoon they had come in pretty thick, dark and gray. The underside of the clouds was taking many neat undulations as the mountainous terrain caused turbulence at their bases...and a watchful eye was kept to the windows through much of the afternoon. As we observed, an incredible display of

NULL 2006-04-03 10:09:02.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Observer Greens and Adirondacks... What a difference a day makes. Today is clear and calm. Yesterday, although windy, were some of the clearest conditions I have experienced up here, as you can see the Adirondacks in this picture taken last night...Saturday on the other hand, was chaotic from the time I woke up until the time that I went to sleep. I woke up at 1:30PM and ventured up to the weather room right as the edge of an approaching line of rain was heading our way. We were debating whether or not we

NULL 2006-04-02 05:51:58.000 - Nin,  Summit Cat As we spring ahead this weekend, we invite you to help the Observatory spring ahead in a very important way. As a private non-profit organization, the Mount Washington Observatory relies on the generous support of memberships and donations to sustain not only the vital work at the top, but also its website, valley museum, research and educational programs.For the annual summit fund this year, we still need to raise $65,000 to reach our goal of $140,000 for 2006. Staff, Trustees and Volunteers recently ran a phone-a-thon and raised $10,000 that was matched by

NULL 2006-04-01 05:19:52.000 - Nin,  Summit Cat The Ravine from Wildcat... A discovery by an eminent botanist (who wishes to remain nameless) on a recent Observatory EduTrip may have a significant impact on spring skiing in Tuckerman Ravine this year. A little-known and endangered plant, previously known only to exist in far, far arctic regions of Canada, has thought to have sprouted in the exact center of the 'Left Gully' in the Ravine. Pending confirmation of this possibly very rare plant, a number of organizations involved environmental protection are poised to call for the limitation of human activity within the

NULL 2006-03-31 07:30:11.000 - Jim Salge,  Observer Sunrise through the haze... As the first warm high pressure area of the year crests over the peak today, the signs of its impacts are quite evident. Temperatures last night only fell to 27 degrees last night, and should rise into the 40s today on the summits. This will put temperatures about 15 to 20 degrees above average for the day! Already, the snowpack is snowing signs of dwindling, as we are down to 11 inches on the summit, a lot of it glare ice. And the South Face of Mount Madison is

NULL 2006-03-30 08:15:55.000 - Jim Salge,  Observer The snowcat at halfway... Shift changes in spring are always interesting, as this is the time of year can lead to not only extreme temperature gradients from the bottom to the top of the mountain, but also incredibly variable road conditions. And while the weather was certainly most cooperative yesterday, the road conditions warranted a shift change in stages, while shuttling between a few vehicles. The day started off a bit frosty at the base, while the summit was reporting a similar temperature of 27 degrees. The sun was shinning bright as we

NULL 2006-03-29 08:07:53.000 - Tim Markle,  Chief Observer The celestial hunting season is drawing to a close. Orion, who has been closely stalking Taurus across the night sky all winter, is now at the western horizon just after dusk. Taurus has all but disappeared, and the only signs of winter remaining are Orion's faithful canine hunting companions, Canis Major and Canis Minor.With the winter season drawing to a close, we focus our attention on the likes of Leo, the lion, dominating the night sky. Even by early morning this constellation is setting below the western horizon, bowing to the rising

NULL 2006-03-27 06:02:25.000 - Neil Lareau,  Observer Indoor Sunrise Green twilight is growing on the horizon and back lighting four evenly spaced and very thin altocumulus standing lenticulars clouds. They are the only clouds in the sky. Bursts of heavy blowing snow are ripping southeastward across the summit and blurring the outlines of the buildings. Nelson crag is sporting its typical spindrift, which in the predawn light looks a lot like an eraser smudge. In the greater illumination of the halogen lamp on the deck, the plumes of blowing snow reveal a more complex nature of tumbling eddies.With the sun

NULL 2006-03-25 13:35:39.000 - Tim Markle,  Chief Observer Bowing Rime A promising post-sunrise break in the fog turned out to be a major letdown. Around 8am this morning the fog, which has hung tough over the summit for the past two days, vanished, revealing a gray on gray world with clouds below and above the summit. An hour later the layer of altostratus clouds, around 5,000 feet above the summit, drifted west, leaving blue sky and a few wisps of high cirrus clouds in its wake. The sun was out, although filtered by the high clouds, warming the summit to