Warm glow on a cold scene…

2006-09-22 04:35:34.000 – Jim Salge,  Observer

Warm glow…

After one of the busiest night shifts I’ve had in some time at the Observatory, it was nice to wake up yesterday afternoon to the (apparently) serene scene in today’s picture. The fog had lifted revealing a mountain top showing its season’s (summer technically) first coat of snow. The snowfall only totaled 0.3 inches yesterday, but plenty of rime ice on the highest thousand feet of slope helped fill in the gaps. Simply beautiful.

As I sat on the rocks below the building, occasionally snapping pictures while taking in the warm glow of the dramatic sun’s rays, I came to realize something. IT WAS COLD OUT. I had on work gloves, a hat and a fleece, but the near zero degree wind chills and 40 mph winds were chilling me quickly! It’s amazing how your tolerance and temperance to the cold fades during the summer, and how autumns first freeze can feel so bone chilling! It also was a reminder not to take weather in the transition seasons lightly, and to never become complacent towards weather on Mount Washington.

My chances to re-acclimate will be short lived, as a warm front is marching its way towards New England. Temperatures by this weekend will likely rise back to above normal levels by the weekend, and some rain is also forecast. So long first snow and ice!

Jim Salge,  Observer