Just Another Work Day

2014-04-20 15:41:36.000 – Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist

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It’s true, today is Easter Sunday. But up here at the Observatory’s mountaintop facility, the summit staff mans a 24-hour, 365-day weather station. Whatever the calendar date may be, or whoever we may have left behind in the valleys below, the dedicated summit staff is up here atop the mountain, working just as diligently as any other day!

Since 1932, observers at the Mount Washington Observatory have taken hourly weather observations, which has gradually contributed to our now-82 year climate record. In order to ensure this data is accurate, precise, and complete, weather observers man the station round-the-clock, to keep a close eye on the ever-changing conditions at the summit, and take the necessary steps to remedy any problems that may arise.

Today was a great example of this, as our summit intern Sam Hewitt and myself took a morning hike down to one of our remote weather sites, stationed 1000 feet down the Mount Washington Auto Road at an elevation of 5300 feet ASL. The site has been giving us some minor problems, so Sam and I walked down to check things out, and make sure no physical problems were preventing quality data flow. On many occasions, a task like this needs to be performed amidst the reliably-unforgiving environmental conditions of the White Mountain Alpine Zone. However, we were quite lucky today, as (relatively) warm temperatures, light winds, and plentiful sunshine provided us with a pleasant trip down and back up to the 5300-foot site.

So although we may be wishing to be with our family and friends today–and we certainly do miss them–today we’ll spend the holiday with our dedicated and passionate summit family, who we work side-by-side with every day, and who are all here for the same reason: perpetuating the long-lasting legacy of those legendary souls who have come before us.

Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist