Spring is Here?

2014-04-04 06:56:11.000 – Samuel Hewitt,  Summit Intern

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Despite the occasional frontal boundary, high pressure has been in control over the last few days, resulting in very pleasant conditions. Temperatures Monday rose to 34 degrees, followed by 29 on Tuesday and 31 on Wednesday. When our shift arrived at the summit Wednesday, it was the first time since probably late October or November that we were able to step out of the snowcat without having to wear a hat, gloves, or our ski goggles. For the first time in months while walking up and down the tower, drops of water were falling and colliding with the top of my head, a sign that all of the ice within the tower is beginning to melt! Maybe spring is actually here?

The severe weather outbreak across the south central United States yesterday is a second indication of spring. There were roughly 193 reports of severe weather stretching from Texas to West Virginia and about 8 tornadoes across three states. These outbreaks are quite common during the spring months, with May being the peak month for tornadoes. That same system will move northwest of New England overnight tonight, resulting in mixed precipitation across the higher summits as temperatures rise into the upper 20s.

Speaking of severe weather, yesterday and today mark the 40th anniversary of the ‘Super Tornado Outbreak of 1974’. One of the worst in history, the super outbreak resulted in 148 tornadoes across 13 states and Canada. 307 people lost their lives and nearly 5,500 were injured.

If you too enjoy severe weather, come out to the Port City Music Hall in Portland, ME TONIGHT from 5:30 PM – 9:00pm for An Evening with Good Morning America’s Ginger Zee – Meteorologist and Storm Chaser. A fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory, Zee will share the trials and triumphs of her ascension to stardom on Good Morning America, then offer an inside look at the world of storm chasing. WMTW-TV Channel 8’s Storm Team including Roger Griswold, Matt Zidle, Mallory Brooke and Paul Janus will be there as well! A few tickets still remain and some will be available at the door (provided it does not sell out beforehand). We hope to see you there!

Samuel Hewitt,  Summit Intern