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2010-01-21 11:19:46.000 – Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist

not quite leaning tower of rime

A little more than twelve hours ago Mike and I were convinced that we would witness the sun rising today. In the long history of blown forecasts on Mount Washington, this one will merely take its rightful place as the most recent. For once, our weather is more boring than every where else in the continental United States. It is raining and snowing out west, where such weather is unusual. There are thunderstorms in the Florida panhandle, and in New England high pressure is building and bits of blue sky are visible through breaking clouds.

The weather in the west had one of our guests (Jim Cantore) itching to get off the mountain and report on some real weather. We couldn’t for one second blame him. I spent the majority of my off week in Las Vegas (visiting family) and was thrilled when it rained. Little did I know that bit of rain was merely a precursor to the weather that would ensue. There is actually a blizzard warning in effect for southeastern Arizona today! Winter storm and flood watches and warnings are peppering the southeastern United States while the northeast, which is usually victim to the aforementioned weather phenomena, watches with gross fascination. New England is a region mentally and physically prepared to deal with storms, from hurricanes to blizzards. We get them here. Plows, salt, 4 wheel drive vehicles and knowledge of when to drive and when to stay home are all characteristics of the region. The desert region of the United States probably doesn’t have plows, salt, and a working knowledge of driving in difficult weather.

For now, our clearing skies and calming winds will be unable to hold our attention as we continuously monitor the real weather news of the week.

Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist