winter returns

2008-05-01 07:39:46.000 – Stacey Kawecki,  Observer

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Temperature: 8 degrees F

Wind: W 71 MPH

Wind Chill: -23 degrees F

Visibility: 1/16 mile

Weather Conditions: Freezing fog, light snow, and blowing snow

These were the conditions when I checked the Mount Washington Observatory’s website just before leaving my house to drive to the base of the Auto Road. I quickly threw on a pair of snow pants, ascertained that I had my hat, gloves, face mask and goggles before starting my car and heading north. 7.2 inches of snow fell on Tuesday, and the summit was once again covered in a blanket of white.

This was quite a change from last Wednesday, when we recorded a new record high temperature and only patches of snow, many puddles, and lots of miniature rivers littered the summit cone. Even though we are supposed to understand that weather on Mount Washington is, at best, fickle, I think we all were hoping for a slightly warmer welcome to the summit. With May here, I think we were all just a little disappointed that snow pants and insulated boots would once again be adorned and Carhartts and sneakers put on the hook for another day. Even though it’s a little chilly today, it won’t be long before the sounds of the Cog Railway chugging up the tracks, cars driving up the Auto Road, hikers and tourists milling about the building overcome the sounds of winter.

Stacey Kawecki,  Observer