We’re number one! We’re number one!…

2011-12-11 18:37:56.000 – Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist

Not related to comment but still nice to look at.

First! It is something we all like aiming for. First place in a race/competition/game/etc. First in line for a blockbuster release. First to listen to a new song. First to read a new book. First to explore a part of Earth previously unseen. First to walk on the moon. And so on and so forth. It’s great being number one. You have something to be proud about and if you’re a sore winner, something to brag about. So, without further ado, here are some firsts, that we on the ‘bad’ weather shift can claim and brag about so far:

First…to see temperatures in the 20s this season back on September 15th.

First…to see measurable snowfall this season back on September 16th.

First…significant snowfall of the ‘winter’ season on the summit as we saw over a foot of snow deposited just before Halloween.

First…100 mph gust of the ‘winter’ season (although, this can be debated depending on the whole astronomical vs meteorological calendar vs Mt. Washington calendar ideology. If we go by the astronomical calendar, we reached the first 100 mph gust of the fall – winter starts December 22; if we go by the meteorological calendar, we reached the first 100 mph gust of the winter – winter started December 1; and if we go by Mt Washington’s calendar, we reached the first 100 mph gust of the winter season – winter started in mid-October when the Sherman Adams building closed. So, I’ll call it ‘winter’ but let you decide).

First…negative temperatures of the season with a 1 below 0 reached this morning, the first time since March 28th.

So, our ‘bad’ weather shift can claim victory in at least five categories so far this season. But don’t feel too bad for the ‘good’ weather shift because, just as we can claim ‘first’ in these 5 categories, they can claim last for all of them last season. They were the last to see temperatures in the 20s back in June. They were last to see non-hail related, measurable snowfall back in June. They were last to see a foot of snow on the ground back in April. They were the last to see 100 mph gusts back in August (Irene). And they were last to see negative temperatures back in March.

Conclusions? Well, if you want to see the extremes of Mt Washington first, it’s good to be with us. If you want to see the extremes of Mt Washington last before the summer season, it’s good to be with the other shift. But, while our shift can claim the coveted ‘first’ in at least five categories, just like when I go fishing, the categories of ‘biggest’ (or lowest for temperatures) and ‘most’ are still up for grabs this season as well as who will get to be last in all of these categories come next spring. So, now we play the waiting game. You’re move Mt Washington; hit us with your best shot!

Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist