Thoughts From a PSU Intern

2012-12-19 23:41:09.000 – Chris Harle,  Plymouth State University Intern

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My name is Chris Harle and I am a junior in the Meteorology program at Plymouth State University. I will be interning here on the summit of Mount Washington for the next week. Being a meteorology student in the Northeast, I have been fascinated with the mountains’ famous weather since I was very young. A dream is now coming true with this much anticipated stay.

Arriving at the base of the auto road this morning, hype filled the air about the first snow cat trip up the mountain this winter. The weather has rapidly changed in the last week providing a now significant base of snow on the auto road. We encountered heavy drifts as we continued our journey to the frozen tundra, requiring maintenance of the trail with the tossing of the passengers, including myself, back and forth.

As we approached the observatory, we were met by an excited crew anxious to help with the unloading of our equipment and then the loading of their own. As I meet more and more people through all of the nooks and crannies of the observatory, I had an unbelievable sense of excitement for my week to come. A privilege has been given so that my knowledge for meteorology can be expanded significantly with this experience. I want to thank the entire Mount Washington Observatory staff for providing this opportunity for students, such as myself, so that we may continue or education and fascination with the weather.

I am looking forward to a week full of high winds, winter storms, and significant snows. The active weather pattern that we have seen in the last few days is forecast to continue over the next week with the possibility for more significant winter weather events up here on the summit. I have an exceptional amount of information to take in while I learn the methods of the observers, as well as conducting useful research for future reference of scientists who will continue their studies on Mount Washington, home of the world’s worst weather.

Chris Harle,  Plymouth State University Intern