Mount Washington Observatory and Appalachian Mountain Club staff share insights about remote weather station data with news reporters on July 11. Learn more about the media day below.

Dear *{{Informal Name}}*,

Our 24th Annual Seek the Peak is almost here! As we put the finishing touches on the event, I am excited to announce that we have already secured our $20,000 challenge gift from one of our most generous donors. Thank you to each of you who made this possible.

However, we still need everyone’s help to reach our $200,000 goal for the event. If you have been considering whether to take part, now is the time to join us and sign up to hike! In fact, incredibly, a second generous donor has stepped up to offer a $10,000 gift to match your contributions 1:1 in this final week.

Double your impact and help us stretch to meet our ambitious goal. We’ll even put these generous matching gifts to use to ensure anyone 15 and younger can hike with a FREE registration (Use promo code STUDENT24 to sign up your youth this week).

If you have young children or would rather not hike, we encourage you to join us anyway for the Après Hike Expo from 4:00-7:00 PM on Saturday, July 20th at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. Everyone who takes part can enjoy a Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant catered meal, live music, an expanded raffle of hiker prizes, competitions for families, FREE giveaways, 40+ vendors, food, drink, and more.

Not only will we have a 28’ rock-climbing wall and chance to sit in our snow cat, but our education team has been working with partners from White Mountain Science, Blue Hill Observatory, Tin Mountain Conservation Center, Believe in Books, and more to cook up fun family games, contests, and hands-on activities. It’s the largest gathering of family fun New England has seen this year!

Thank you so very much to all of you who have supported our 24th Annual Seek the Peak in so many various ways already. You sustain our 91-year-old legacy of scientific research and education on New England’s highest peak. And you make our work possible.

Even as we get ready for this amazing event, we have quite a lot taking place. I hope you enjoy reading about our work with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Project Drawdown, and much more. And I look forward to seeing you at Seek the Peak.

Sincerely,

Drew Bush

Executive Director

JUNE WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

Highest Temperature

70 °F 

Lowest Temperature

27 °F

Fastest Wind Speed

96 MPH

Precipitation

8.12 IN

Complete monthly weather data can be viewed here. Check the Higher Summits Forecast for an extended weather outlook. For a detailed look at June’s weather and the past year’s snowfall, read Weather Observer Ryan Knapp’s blog post, June 2024 By the Numbers.

A Thank You From Our Weather Observers

Your support of Seek the Peak directly impacts forecasting, research, and education on Mount Washington. Watch this video expressing why your support matters and what motivates our weather observers.

HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS

At around 4:00 AM on June 28, our station set a new daily record low temperature of 27 °F, surpassing the previous record from 1968 by one degree. Watch this video as Weather Observer Francis Tarasiewicz clears rime ice from our instruments.

Here is a selection of recent stories about our work by regional media.

• WMUR’s coverage of the record daily low recorded on June 28
• New Hampshire Public Radio’s story on the June 19 record daily high
• The Boston Globe and Boston.com’s stories on the record daily high
• Mt. Washington Valley Vibe’s Seek the Peak Q+A feature
• NH Center for Nonprofits’ story on Board of Trustees Secretary Jeannie Oliver completing the the Hoffman Haas Fellowship Program 
• InDepth NH’s story on Mount Washington’s Environmental Study

RECENT COLLABORATIONS

U.S. Senator Hassan Visits Mount Washington

U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan and her staff visit Mount Washington on June 27.

Senator Hassan made a trip to the summit with 35 of her staff members to learn about the Observatory’s core work, innovations in measuring weather and climate, and mountain operations in collaboration with NH State Parks and the Mount Washington Cog Railway. View the photos below for some highlights of the trip.

Observatory Executive Director Drew Bush speaks to guests during the ascent on the Cog Railway (left, above). Bush, Senator Hassan, and Mount Washington State Park Supervisor Patrick Hummel meet at on the summit.

Senator Hassan experiences the wind and fog on the instrument tower (left, above) and Observatory intern Jacob Garside leads a tour of the weather station. 

NH State Representative David Paige visits the summit sign with Senator Hassan.

AMC and Observatory Host Media Day

Northeast regional news reporters join Appalachian Mountain Club and Mount Washington Observatory staff on the instrument tower during a tour of the weather station on July 11.

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) organized a media day on July 11, including a trip to our weather station for a tour and presentations by MWOBS Executive Director Drew Bush, MWOBS interns Josh Elms and Jacob Garside, and AMC Senior Scientist Georgia Murray.

Earlier in the day, MWOBS Director of Weather Operations Jay Broccolo joined a Search and Rescue in the White Mountains panel discussion at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center with Joe Roman, AMC Background Resource Manager; Will Murphy, President of Androscoggin Valley SAR Team; Chris Thayer, AMC Senior Director of External Affairs and Contracts and President of NH Outdoor Council; Lt. Mark Ober, NH Fish & Game; and Jeff Fongemie, Director of the Mount Washington Avalanche Center.

News reporters attended from the Boston Globe, Concord Monitor, New Hampshire Union Leader, New England Magazine, and Adirondack Explorer.

Director of Weather Operations Jay Broccolo explains the role of weather forecasting and real-time data in search and rescue (SAR) operations to an audience of news reporters, during a panel discussion with White Mountains SAR experts.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Seek the Peak Kick-Off Party

Join us on Friday, July 19 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Tuckerman Brewing Company to kick off Seek the Peak weekend! The Kick-Off Party is a laid-back get-together for anyone interested or participating in Seek the Peak. Meet fellow hikers, chat with Observatory staff, and enjoy live music. Hikers can also check in early and get their well-deserved 2024 t-shirts and backpacks – earned through fundraising for the Obs! Our friends from Oboz, Minus33, and the Sounds Like a Search and Rescue Podcast will also attend.

24th Annual Seek the Peak 

Then, join us on Saturday, July 20 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Great Glen Trails to celebrate your hike and hard work! Seek the Peak invites hikers of all ability levels to raise vital funds for the Observatory and celebrate adventure in the White Mountains. Find all the details and register for your hike HERE.

SCIENCE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Science-Based Climate Solutions with Project Drawdown

Join us on Tuesday, July 23 at 7:00 PM for Science in the Mountains: Science-Based Climate Solutions with Project Drawdown. Project Drawdown’s Elizabeth Bagley will discuss how their organization’s efforts are leading the conversation in effective science-based climate solutions and strategies, while supporting climate leadership and promoting new climate change stories and voices. Register here to save your spot!

Weather Station Tours Open to the Public

Go behind the scenes of our famous mountaintop weather station and get a taste for what it’s like to work at 6,288 feet. Anyone can now purchase and schedule a summer 2024 tour. Membership is not required; booking at least 60 mins in advance is. Members do receive the benefit of free weather station tours.