Stories of Impact
Statewide Forecasts from the Top of New England Now Broadcast throughout New Hampshire and Vermont
Statewide Forecasts from the Top of New England Now Broadcast throughout New Hampshire and Vermont By MWOBS Staff MWOBS summit team members Karl Philippoff (back row left), Mitchell Tsokatos, Cassie Farnsworth, Antonio Ruiz Núñez, Mike Carmon, Madelynn Smith, Ryan Haas, Alex Branton, (front row left), Ryan Knapp, and Alyssa Belanger. In early 2025, Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) expanded its forecasting coverage area beyond the White Mountains to reach across all of New Hampshire and Vermont. Radio and digital media partners including New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR), Radio Vermont Group (RVG), and Conway Broadcasting now carry daily statewide,
Beyond the Classroom: STEM Learning Ecosystems and Community Partnerships
Beyond the Classroom: STEM Learning Ecosystems and Community Partnerships By MWOBS Staff Connected Learning Pathways. Infographic by Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) offers a wide range of educational programs for learners of all ages as well as teaching professionals. From digital programs like Science in the Mountains, to immersive in-person experiences like field trips for youth and EduTrips for adults, an overarching goal of the Observatory’s educational offerings is to provide accessible, enriching experiences to foster not only weather curricula engagement, but also a passion, connectedness and curiosity for the world around us
Collaborative Research of White Mountain Climatology
Collaborative Research of White Mountain Climatology Organizations Transform Data into Understanding in New White Mountains Almanac By Ellen Estabrook November marked the release of The White Mountains Almanac, a first-of-its-kind publication created by Mount Washington Observatory and partners at the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Hubbard Brook Research Foundation (HBRF). With funding support from the Cabot Family Charitable Trust, The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire, Stephen Walker and Diane DeLuca, and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, this richly-illustrated almanac offers a comprehensive, year-in-review exploration of ecological and climatological changes observed in the White Mountains region, serving as both
Summer Camp in the Clouds: Place-Based Discovery on Mount Washington
Summer Camp in the Clouds: Place-Based Discovery on Mount Washington By MWOBS Staff Just because school is out during the summer, doesn’t mean learning about weather and climate on Mount Washington takes a break. One of the hallmarks and new additions to Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS)'s suite of summer programs is Storm Scouts: Extreme Weather Camp, where rising 4th to 8th graders can learn from and experience Mount Washington firsthand alongside Mount Washington Observatory staff. This day camp, which concluded in August, returned for a second year in partnership with Conway School District’s Project
Upward Bound’s Journey to New Heights at Mount Washington Observatory
Upward Bound’s Journey to New Heights at Mount Washington Observatory By Jackie Bellefontaine Photos by Erin Town Mount Washington Observatory is excited to share the news of a new collaboration with the University of Maine’s TRIO Upward Bound program, which brought high school students for an overnight experience at the Home of the World’s Worst Weather in early May. Upward Bound students observing the clouds. The University of Maine has been hosting TRIO Upward Bound programs since 1966, providing incredible opportunities for students from low-income communities and/or first-generation college households. Through Upward Bound, students receive college preparation
From Everest to Aconcagua: Instrument Innovation Across Continents
From Everest to Aconcagua: Instrument Innovation Across Continents By Ellen Estabrook On February 18, 2025, a team of climbers and scientists summited Aconcagua – the highest mountain in the western and southern hemisphere – and installed a weather station a few meters from the top, at 22,769 feet, or 6,940 meters above sea level. Climatologist, professor, and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Baker Perry co-led the expedition with a Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) pitot anemometer—and other instruments supplied by partners—in tow. The goal: to deploy five observation sites on the mountain to better understand water availability in the Andes Centrales,
Celebrating Volunteer Community Builders: The Zlogars
Celebrating Volunteer Community Builders: The Zlogars By Wendy Almeida For the past 20 years, Mike and Sue Zlogar have dedicated countless volunteer hours to Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS). Their contributions, from repair projects to cooking family-style meals, have touched every corner of summit life. Their love for the Observatory and the people they've met along the way lies at the heart of everything they do. For the last decade, they've also delivered a special gift each year -- the annual summit Christmas tree -- bringing holiday spirit to staff during the season. Mike (left) and Sue on the
Managing Risk in the Mountains with the Higher Summits Forecast
Managing Risk in the Mountains with the Higher Summits Forecast By Carissa Milliman A group of hikers trek along the open ridges of the White Mountains. Joe Klementovich photo. With more and more people visiting the White Mountains each year to experience the expansive network of wilderness and enjoy the abundance of recreational opportunities, the ability to easily access an accurate weather forecast is more crucial than ever. Weather patterns change unexpectedly, dramatically, and quickly. Being prepared means checking the Higher Summits Forecast often and prior to setting out on any adventure. The process of forecasting and
Peak Perspectives: Professional Development on Mount Washington
Peak Perspectives: Professional Development on Mount Washington By MWOBS Staff As the Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) Education team heads into a new year and a busy second half of the school calendar, we are excited to highlight not only the expansion of programs offered to youth both in the academic year and in the summer, but also professional learning opportunities for educators. To start, K-12 programs for students and teachers have grown to offer more than 76 school day, 41 after-school, and 25 field trips serving over 4,800 students in 2024. To complement these, we were excited to offer
Mesonet Expansion Advances Weather Monitoring Capabilities in Northern New England
Mesonet Expansion Advances Weather Monitoring Capabilities in Northern New England By Ellen Estabrook The new Skyline Mesonet Station (elevation 5,600') is shown with the Observatory tower in the background. Photo by Charlie Peachey. Five new remote weather monitoring stations went live November 21 along the Mount Washington Cog Railway, on the western side of New England’s highest peak. The expansion of the Mount Washington Regional Mesonet (MWRM) kicks off a broader project to enhance weather monitoring in the White Mountains and across New Hampshire. During the next four years, 11 original stations in the MWRM will be
