Mount Washington Observatory to Host 90th Anniversary Big Wind Day Celebration

North Conway, NH – March 23, 2024 – In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the highest wind speed ever recorded at a staffed weather station, Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) will host an array of engaging events before and during Big Wind Day, April 12, with a culminating public celebration at Tuckerman Brewing Company.

On April 12, 1934, a world record wind gust of 231 mph was measured by MWOBS’ first weather team of Alex McKenzie, Sal Pagliuca, and Wendell Stephenson. This record, confirmed by the National Weather Bureau, remains a rich piece of New Hampshire and national weather history. Alongside in-person events, the Observatory will share new and archival content that chronicles Big Wind Day.

All are invited to celebrate and explore this landmark event. On Thursday, April 11 from 1:00 to 4:00pm, the Observatory’s Gladys Brooks Memorial Library will host an open house with Big Wind Day archival materials presented by curator Dr. Peter Crane. The library is located at MWOBS’ administrative office at 2779 White Mountain Highway in North Conway, NH.

The 90th Anniversary Big Wind Day Celebration will take place on Friday, April 12 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Tuckerman Brewing Company, located at 66 Hobbs St. in Conway, NH. This public gathering will include family-friendly activities, featuring kites and anemometers (wind sensors) for kids, educational programs, live music, food, drinks, and a ceremony with the families of McKenzie, Pagliuca, and Stephenson.

One dollar for every Tuckerman 6288 Stout sold during the month of April will be donated to Mount Washington Observatory.

“Big Wind Day represents the height of human perseverance for the cause of understanding extreme weather,” said Charlie Buterbaugh, MWOBS Director of External Affairs. “We are very excited to gather with our community in celebration of this event, which in many ways set the standard of data quality throughout the Observatory’s history and even today, as our weather observers forecast, record, and study Earth’s weather and climate.”

The Observatory has designed limited-edition 90th Big Wind Anniversary shirts to commemorate the event, available here, with proceeds supporting MWOBS’ educational and research programs.

Learn more about Big Wind programs here. For more information on Tuckerman Brewing Company, visit tuckermanbrewing.com.

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About Mount Washington Observatory:

Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region. Our summit facility is located within Mount Washington State Park. For more information, call 603-356-2137 or visit mountwashington.org.

Contact:
Ellen Estabrook, Communications Manager
(603) 356-2137, ext. 223
eestabrook@mountwashington.org