Snowy Day

2007-11-07 09:07:30.000 – Stacey Kawecki,  Observer

Snow covered Presidentials

10.7

What does this number represent? It represents the number of inches that was dumped on the summit of Mount Washington yesterday. It also means that travel plans for the shift change Wednesday might be a little challenging. While I sit here, and await the upcoming crew’s arrival, and listen to “Witchy Woman” on the radio, I realize how different the weather will be in the valley. It’s amazing how just a couple of thousand feet and twenty degrees can make all the difference in the world. Upon the summit, we’re experiencing a winter wonderland. Snow and rime ice covers everything; shoveling and de-icing are part of the regular routine, and playing in the snow during the hourly observation is absolutely necessary. We’re going down today. The temperature at the base of the Auto Road is approximately twice that of the summit, 36.6 degrees F and 18.9 degrees F, respectively.

Instead of snow, the valley got rain. Instead of jumping into snow drifts, it’ll be trying to avoid puddles (wet socks are the worst!). We’ll drive by the lookouts, and see the snow covered tops of the Presidential Range, and wait for winter to arrive at the valley. Until then, I’ll leave all you snow lovers with some views from the summit.

Partial undercast, snow, and mountains

Tower

Drifting by the rocks

A pretty picture

Stacey Kawecki,  Observer