1930’s photograph by Harold Orne.

Dear *{{Informal Name}}*,

It was 93 years ago when Mount Washington Observatory was established. On Wednesday, October 15, we mark that anniversary with our Founding Day to commemorate this important occasion.

I think all those who were involved in starting the Observatory would be pleased that the organization they founded continues its valuable scientific and educational work on Mount Washington and beyond.

Joe Dodge, Bob Monahan, Alex McKenzie, and Sal Pagliuca were the four individuals who were key to the first year of the Observatory, with Joe based at Pinkham Notch and Bob, Alex, and Sal on the summit. While the original concept of the Observatory was to operate one winter only, in conjunction with the worldwide efforts of the Second International Polar Year, those associated with the Observatory realized that its work was too worthwhile to stop after one season. So I know that these four pioneers would be pleased that the institution they began continues to thrive, almost a century after.

Most of all, our Founders would be pleased that there remains an active group of members who appreciate the important work of the Observatory and who give it the support it needs to continue its many activities.

Thank YOU very much for your contributions that make the Observatory’s work possible. Please find details below about our Founding Day celebration. I hope you can participate!

Sincerely,

Peter Crane, Ph.D.

Curator

SEPTEMBER WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

Highest Temperature

57°F 

Lowest Temperature

27°F

Fastest Wind Speed

85 MPH

Precipitation

4.30 IN

Complete monthly weather data can be viewed here. Check the Higher Summits Forecast for an extended weather outlook, and tune in to our Weekend Higher Summits Forecast discussion live on Facebook every Friday at 5:00 PM EST.

OBS UPDATES

MWOBS Welcomes Ryan Haas and Madelynn Smith

Ryan joins the summit weather crew after interning on the summit this past summer. He holds a B.S. in Meteorology and just completed a M.S. in Applied Atmospheric Science at the University of Albany. He is passionate about extreme weather and science communication and looks forward to deploying these passions as a Night Weather Observer!

Madelynn (Maddie) also joins the summit weather crew as a Weather Observer and Education Specialist after interning with us over the summer. Maddie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2024 with a B.S. in Meteorology & Environmental Science and has previously worked as an FAA contract weather observer at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Introducing our Fall 2025 Summit Interns

Alyssa Bélanger joins the intern cohort after graduating from Colorado State University in December 2024 with a B.S. in Natural Sciences. Her research will explore correlations between anthocyanin content (what contributes to red pigment in leaves) and the timing of senescence (process of plant aging).

Antonio Ruiz Núñez joins us from Texas after completing undergraduate studies in meteorology at Texas A&M University. His research this fall will focus on determining how integrating the Mount Washington Regional Mesonet (MWRM) data into numerical weather prediction models (NWPs) affects the forecasting accuracy of mixed precipitation events for the Mount Washington region.

Cassie Farnsworth graduated from Kent State University in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics and a minor in Aviation Weather. She will be studying extreme wind events and how they impact fall foliage in the White Mountains and is looking forward to experiencing New England for the first time.

Mitchell Tsokatos received his undergraduate education from the University of South Alabama followed by a Master’s in Atmospheric Sciences from Texas A&M University. Mitchell is also travelling to New England for the first time and is excited to conduct research analyzing winter weather outlooks and the associated weather variables for producing a digestible outlook.

Amy Cotter Departs Observatory After Two Years

After two years at the Observatory (first as a summit intern, then an educator in the valley, and finally as a Weather Observer on the summit), Amy Cotter is embarking on a new adventure as an atmospheric chemistry Research Assistant at Reed College and Mount Bachelor Observatory in Oregon. We congratulate Amy on this exciting new chapter and are so grateful for all of her contributions!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Peter Limmer & Sons Open House

Join Peter Limmer & Sons in Intervale for their Fall Open House from 11am to 2pm TODAY, October 4! Tour their historic workshop, meet the craftspeople behind the legendary Limmer Boot, and enjoy food, music, and raffles. As a proud corporate sponsor of the Mount Washington Observatory, 10% of every sale at the open house will go directly to MWOBS. Plus, there will be a live broadcast with MWOBS Director of External Affairs Charlie Buterbaugh talking about our work in weather science and education.

 Peter Crane to Present at Moultonborough Public Library

The Observatory’s Curator, Peter Crane, will be giving a program called “Breaking the Ice,” about the Hitchcock-Huntington Expedition of 1870-1871, the first occupation of the summit of Mount Washington in winter for scientific purposes. The program will be at the Moultonborough, New Hampshire Public Library on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:00 PM. To register for this free program, go to https://moultonboroughlibrary.org/

Southern New England Weather Conference

This year’s Southern New England Weather Conference presented by Blue Hill Observatory is on October 25, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at MEDITECH in Canton, MA. Don’t miss this chance to learn from experts in the field and connect with other weather and climate enthusiasts: MWOBS School Programs Coordinator Jackie Bellefontaine will be presenting a precipitation data activity adapted from NASA in one of the breakout sessions! View more information and register here.

Take a Hike with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Hiking, whether on the ~2,200 mile Appalachian Trail or in your local park, has countless benefits to mental and physical health. Now through December, join the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s movement to redefine Take a Hike in the dictionary and sign the petition at takeahikepetition.org. Even SNL alum Kevin Nealon is in on the fun!

SUMMIT SNAPSHOT

A big congratulations to Seek the Peak Steward Chris Nichols for his 17 Mount Washington summits this summer, completing #17 this past week! This creative and challenging endeavor commemorated his 17th year of Seek the Peak (he has already climbed Mount Washington 17 times previously as well). Enjoy this epic compilation of his summit selfies to celebrate—you can also check out all of his trail reports at mountwashington.org/journal. Kudos, Chris, and thank you for all you do!

RETAIL CORNER

Sneak Peak: The Cats of Mount Washington Tee

After our Minus33 collaboration Nimbus sock received much fanfare and further requests, our incredibly talented School Programs Educator Olivia Dodge took a dive into the Obs archive to illustrate and celebrate the lineage of feline friends on the summit of Mount Washington. You’ll see familiar faces like Inga, Marty, and of course, Nimbus! You’re seeing this exclusive product first— shop here! Partial proceeds from this product will support field trips to the summit of Mount Washington. (Also available in long sleeve, sweatshirt, and other styles; ships on or around 11/12/25.)

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Cranmore Mountain Lodge

It is a beautiful time of year to visit the Mount Washington Valley, and North Conway’s Cranmore Mountain Lodge is located in the heart of it all. A preferred lodging partner of the Observatory, this B&B also has a room dedicated to one of its former frequenters, Babe Ruth.

NEWSROOM

Northern Lights were visible on the summit on a few occasions this past week, with The Boston Globe, WMTW, CBS, WMUR, and Fox Weather sharing the summit team’s beautiful captures on social media.

More Stories about our Work

• In our latest “Atop the Rockpile” column in New Hampshire Union Leader, Summit & Weather Operations Manager Mike Carmon discusses August’s unusually dry and calm weather across New England as Mount Washington saw its fifth-driest August on record.
• The Boston Globe, WMTW, CBS, WMUR, and Fox Weather. 
• Conway Daily Sun shared Zeb’s General Store Charitable Fund’s award announcement of a $2,500 grant to the Observatory for support in funding scholarships for students to attend Storm Scouts Summer Camp.
• Weather Observer Madelynn Smith’s foliage research was cited in a recent article by The Dartmouth investigating state visitation declines during the fall season.
• Cision PR picked up our Minus33 sock collaboration celebrating our favorite full-time resident on Mount Washington.