Observer Comments
January 2010
Of course, the big news in the last week has been the new world record wind speed that dethroned our 231 mph wind gust and moved it to second place. We have gotten tons of calls from various media outlets and there have been countless articles and blog entries posted on the internet about the topic. With all this hoopla, it was easy to overlook the passing of the anniversary of another important record in the long history of the Mount Washington Observatory yesterday.
On January 29, 1934 a low temperature of -47 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded on Mount Washington. This is not only the lowest temperature we have ever recorded, but also the lowest temperature ever recorded in the state of New Hampshire. Now of course, that's just the air temperature. On that day, wind speeds were well over 100 mph, producing wind chills at or below 100 below zero. Although yesterday was not quite that cold on the summit, it was a very cold day. In fact, with a low of -26, it was the coldest day so far this season. With how warm it has been lately, it felt particularly cold while I was outside for my hourly weather observations yesterday afternoon.
The cold weather will continue on the summit and in the northeast in general. Temperatures over the next several days will remain below zero here on the Rockpile as an upper level trough moving through tomorrow reinforces the cold air already in place. This makes for great snowmaking weather for ski areas in the valley to be able to recover from the deluge this past Monday, but not great weather for enjoying that snow!
Brian Clark – Observer and Meteorologist
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Sunset on our last night
As our last night on the summit is drawing to a close we reflect back upon our amazing experience as interns at the summit. We have seen every varying degree of weather we so hoped to see during our 14 day winter internship. From balmy temperatures of 25F with calm winds and unlimited visibility to a peak 104.5mph gust, no visibility and wind chills as low as 70 below. Our first trip came with a strong winter storm that disappointed the observers but fascinated all those new to life on the summit. After 4 days of no visibility we got a glimpse of the beautiful views and even were able to get some hiking in.
Upon our second trip up we were fortunate enough to see one amazing sunset and two gorgeous sunrises. We were able to see the Atlantic Ocean in the gleaming sunlight as well as the lights from Portland, ME, Portsmouth, NH and even Montreal, Canada. Optical phenomena such as fog bows, glories, coronas and even the shadow of Mt. Washington upon the undercast below were just a few of the unique sights we witnessed.
Our third and final trip brought some of the most extreme weather as a sharp, arctic cold front passed over New England. The cold front brought in light snow, strong winds and even more dangerous wind chills. The light snow of 2.5" brought our monthly total only up to about 18" compared to the expected total for the month of January of 53"! Though we will not reach our projected snowfall total, we did exceed 100 mph winds for the first time in 2010. Unfortunately Ryan, the night observer, was the only one to experience the 100+ mph winds just past 1 am as the rest of the crew was fast asleep.
It was not just amazing weather that we have experienced during our stay up here, but also the wonderful people that make the summit such a magnificent place. The observers showed us what work goes on from a day to day basis and also how to enjoy ourselves while doing it. The volunteers kept an elevated atmosphere after the work was done and always made spectacular food which far exceeded our expectations as college students. Also the quarterly interns, Drew and Nick, who are just as new to this as us, were a pleasure to get acquainted with. We would like to thank everyone who has made this internship a once in a lifetime experience.
Andrew Foley and Kyle Itterly – Plymouth State Intern
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Eastern Snowfields
Five months have passed since my last visit to the summit. Having worked as an intern last summer I was eager to experience the mountain in its other, less familiar element: winter. I just finished the first semester of my junior year at the University of Vermont, most of which was spent with my head bent over an open text book in our not so cozy library. However, one overnight visit to the Observatory has been an excellent reward. In the last 24 hours I have been pampered with fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies, sticky buns, shrimp alfredo pasta and a more than hardy breakfast of blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast. Within minutes I was also reminded of the great company that made for such a memorable summer.
To top it all off I was even able to make a few turns on the Eastern Snow Fields with observer Mike Finnegan. The walk down left us slightly skeptical as our boots crunched over broken up ice chunks. About 50 ft down the conditions changed to a softer wind slab, easy to get an edge into and float on top of at the same time! Magnificent! Thanks for having me everyone!
Hedda Peterson – Former Intern
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Not such a g'day, mate!
For once, the big news on Mount Washington isn't our extreme weather.
Sadly, it's about how our extreme weather--our world record wind speed, to be exact--was outdone by that of a warm, tropical island...
According to a report released Friday by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a new world record wind speed was recorded on April 10, 1996 at an unmanned station in Barrow Island, Australia during Typhoon Olivia. According to the report, the new record stands at 253 mph, far surpassing the Observatory's record of 231 mph.
As the Observatory's marketing and communications coordinator, I've been fielding all sorts of inquiries from media outlets and Obs fans alike. One question that seems to be on everyone's mind is: "why the heck did this take 14 years to figure out??"
The quick answer is that it didn't: the record has been there all along. It was recorded by the Barrow Island station when it occurred, but not publicized until the WMO evaluation panel stumbled upon it while conducting a review of world records.
I know, this probably seems crazy, but taken in the context of our own day-to-day operations here at the Observatory, it's surprisingly unsurprising.
As a marketing person, I am constantly publicizing our extreme weather and praising the work of the hardy crew that must withstand its wrath on a daily basis. To me, and to most of the general public, our weather is absolutely remarkable, and the men and women who live and work in it are practically heroes.
And yet, when speaking with our summit crew after a significant weather event (usually to get a quote for an e-newsletter or press release) I am frequently amazed (and deflated!) by their lack of drama regarding the event.
"What do you mean the -67 wind chill was just 'a bit chilly'??!! How can you say you weren't terrified when you had to go up in the tower in 97 mph winds??!!"
To me, these people are intrepid adventurers--brave, strong, and perhaps a bit crazy. But to one another, they are co-workers and friends, performing the duties of their jobs without fanfare or incident. Sure, -67 is cold, and sure, it's difficult to work in 97 mph winds, but they're not going to call the local newspaper to brag about it.
(One of many reasons I could never be a scientist!)
I can't help but think that this attitude is probably shared by many scientists around the world. Their daily routines revolve around things that the rest of us would find utterly amazing, but for them it's just another day at the office. And when something unusual happens, their first order of business is to verify the data-not call the Associated Press.
Of course all of this is just my own hypothesizing, and like the rest of you, I look forward to learning more about the specifics of the WMO's investigation. Indeed, the field of science itself is based upon the pursuit of knowledge, and we are proud to be included in such an exciting quest.
We'll keep you posted on our findings. Thanks for all the support!
Cara Rudio – Marketing and Communications Coordinator
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Mt. Washington Summit
Have you ever wanted to visit the summit of Mt. Washington in the winter?
Why wait? Our winter EduTrip program allows you to visit the Observatory overnight during the extreme weather winter months, when the summit building is closed to the general public.
Your trip includes a snow tractor ride up and down the Mt. Washington Auto Road, home cooked meals, and the opportunity to learn about mountain-related topics such as climatology, glacial geology, mountaineering, and even the challenges of cooking at high altitudes! Also, you'll meet the weather observers and interns that reside on the summit and have made it their occupation to record and predict Mt. Washington's weather.
And don't forget, you'll have the opportunity to witness this infamous weather first hand! Freezing fog, winds in excess of 100 mph, 130 mile vistas, feathery rime ice, and snow are all possible on any given winter day!
If you can't swing an overnight trip, perhaps our Day Trips are your ticket to the Observatory! You'll have the opportunity to ride up and down in our snow tractor, tour the Observatory, and witness the incredible weather. And fear not...you'll be treated with a delicious lunch as well!
Click here for more information on EduTrips.
Click here for more information on Day Trips.
Don't hesitate! Sign up today!
Mike Carmon – Staff Meteorologist
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Can I help you?
Meow!
Guess who...it's your favorite summit cat, Marty, with a few of my deep and distinguished thoughts (translated by Mike, my second-favorite observer). I wanted Steve (the one with the accent) to interpret, but he wouldn't give me the time of day!
Since I last checked in with all of you wonderful, adoring fans, there have been some changes amidst my summit domain.
Those interns Mary Ellen and Will are gone. I especially miss Mary Ellen, because she used to keep MY spot on the couch toasty warm. But now that she's gone, I've had to sit on a cold couch and warm it up myself. This does not bode well for my kitty bottom that likes to be nice and cozy all the time!
To replace those interns, there have been some new human faces on the summit that I have not fully evaluated. First there was Drew, who popped up a few weeks ago. Where did HE come from? I'm not quite sure if I approve of this new intern yet, so I've kept my pretty kitty eyes on him very closely. Then, a week later, there was Nick. I have had even less time to size him up, so I will have to continue to watch his every move as well. I am extremely fussy about my interns, and I hope they don't expect me to snuggle up to them right away. I am no canine!
There was a big to-do last week when a few strangers appeared amidst my kitty-dom for two days. One of them seemed very important, and was talking to Brian quite a bit. I tried to get on camera, but they did not seem interested in me. How could they come to the summit and not want to give the most integral and by far the prettiest living thing up here some face time? How impolite!
In between assessing interns and taking my essentially frequent cat naps, I've tried to keep my purrrfect figure in form with some light afternoon exercises, such as taking sprints through the building and jumping onto top bunks. I also attempt to keep those all-too-easily-entertained observers busy by allowing them to dangle a string in front of me. If I have had enough rest and am not tuckered from my other activities, I will humor them and play with the string for a bit. How they are so easily amused, I will never know.
And for all of you out there wondering about my health-well, I can tell you I am feeling much improved since my issues last year, and I now feel I am in fabulous feline form!
Until next time!
Marty – Summit Cat
Although this is not meant to be a forecast discussion, it will probably sound awfully like one to y'all.
As I sat composing this string of thoughts this afternoon, clouds (some of them lenticular) were quickly thickening and lowering all around the summit. We are gearing up for a 24 hour visit from a massive storm system beginning tonight.
We've been fortunate enough to enjoy a phase of calm, clear weather since we emerged from the fog on Thursday morning. We have reported a visibility of at least 100 miles for 65 out of the last 76 hours (Thursday afternoon through Sunday afternoon), and have reached 130 miles for 23 of those 65 hours. Amidst this exceptionally clear weather, there was a 16 hour period in which there was not a single cloud in the sky. Observations consisted of little more than a temperature reading.
However, the winds of change have caught word of the uncanny string of immaculate weather the 'home of the world's worst weather' has been experiencing, and are about to smack us over the proverbial head with a wake up call. At the onset Sunday night, precipitation will begin as a messy muddle of snow and sleet. Temperatures will escalate throughout the overnight hours, encouraging the snow and sleet to morph into a mix of sleet and freezing rain, creating a situation that this shift is all too familiar with-a severe glaze icing event. It appears terribly reminiscent of the scenario we witnessed about a month ago during Christmas week, when, at its peak, the storm system produced over 5 inches of heavy glaze ice per hour! Because this storm is teeming with moisture, these remarkable accumulations could be matched or possibly even exceeded!!
But hold on...that's only half of the fun we're preparing for! The mercury will continue to inch skyward on Monday, which will sanction a change from freezing rain to plain rain. Models are indicating that we could easily see 2 inches or so of liquid equivalent precipitation, which will work very diligently at eating away our 19 inch snow pack. On top of that, we are expecting south winds for a length of time, which tends to send water flooding (pun intended) into our tower.
Finally, there's the wind, which seems to have been out to lunch so far this young year. Winds look to be sustained just above 80 mph Monday afternoon, with gusts surpassing 90 mph, and a chance we could see the first 100 mph gust of 2010. I'm not exactly optimistic about hitting the century mark, but this mountain has without a doubt surprised me many a time before.
So now, we wait for the return of exciting weather...
Observer Note: Due to the possible heavy icing conditions combined with south-to-southeast winds, there is a possibility that the summit will loose its internet connection Sunday night and/or Monday. If this does occur, the current summit conditions will not update until this connection is restored. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Mike Carmon – Staff Meteorologist
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Sublimation sculpts sinewy rime at sunset.
I love Canada.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a bonafide American-- a patriot with a capital ''P''-- but this
Canadian high pressure system has got me singing the highest praises for the maple leaves.
As anyone who has been in New England these past couple of days already knows, this warm,
dry airmass has brought us several picture-perfect days. You'd think I'd be uncomfortable
with beyond-100-yard visibility and wind chills that average above zero, but I'm enjoying
it. Thoroughly.
Thursday began with a sunrise that was Un.Real. After a
quick bask in my new favorite (secret) spot, I headed in for breakfast number two. Right,
this kind of stuff bores people. So, moving on. Around noon, I suited up for a quick jaunt
out on the tundra. Ice axe, crampons,
gaiters-- the whole shebang.
Now the Crawford Path is nothing new to me; I've had the privilege of enjoying this trail
countless times during my childhood and through my stints with the AMC. But never have I
ever hiked Washington in the winter. A once sedge-covered trail buzzing with hikers had
become a desolate, wind-scarred
expanse, pocked by rime and snow drifts. It was mind-blowingly beautiful.
The Canadian high pushes onward, but it's still not quite done with us. In fact, today
there was scant a cloud to be seen! The State took advantage of this atypical weather and
held an avalanche search and rescue (AVSAR) training scenario on the Tuckerman trail.
Wanting to help (err... get outside and play with Stacey's camera), I donned my gear and
ventured to the scene of the ''accident.'' The
AVSAR went off without a hitch, and within minutes, we had the patient packaged and
secured at the summit.
Unfortunately, Canada can't protect us from the remnants of the massive storm that has
been wreaking havoc out West. But at least I had a few glory days this shift.
Drew Hill – Summit Intern
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arctic dunes
It doesn't get much better than this! It is the kind of day that lures observers and interns out of the building and into the bright sunshine. Temperature rose to a balmy 25 degrees and winds diminished to a mere whisper. I went out just after noon. I started down the Mount Washington Auto Road (well, you can't really see the road anymore. It's more akin to an un-groomed ski slope). I walked to just above the Cow Pasture and basked in the warmth of the seemingly arctic desert.
The snow drifted into dunes that broke up the apparent hardpan of the rime and made the walk back up slightly more challenging, and way more rewarding. By the time I reached the summit, I was down to my fleece, sans mittens. Everyone was able to venture outside today, whether a quick walk down the road or to the Lakes of the Clouds hut. At least today it's safe to say we earned our dinner!
Stacey Kawecki – Observer and Meteorologist
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not quite leaning tower of rime
A little more than twelve hours ago Mike and I were convinced that we would witness the sun rising today. In the long history of blown forecasts on Mount Washington, this one will merely take its rightful place as the most recent. For once, our weather is more boring than every where else in the continental United States. It is raining and snowing out west, where such weather is unusual. There are thunderstorms in the Florida panhandle, and in New England high pressure is building and bits of blue sky are visible through breaking clouds.
The weather in the west had one of our guests (Jim Cantore) itching to get off the mountain and report on some real weather. We couldn't for one second blame him. I spent the majority of my off week in Las Vegas (visiting family) and was thrilled when it rained. Little did I know that bit of rain was merely a precursor to the weather that would ensue. There is actually a blizzard warning in effect for southeastern Arizona today! Winter storm and flood watches and warnings are peppering the southeastern United States while the northeast, which is usually victim to the aforementioned weather phenomena, watches with gross fascination. New England is a region mentally and physically prepared to deal with storms, from hurricanes to blizzards. We get them here. Plows, salt, 4 wheel drive vehicles and knowledge of when to drive and when to stay home are all characteristics of the region. The desert region of the United States probably doesn't have plows, salt, and a working knowledge of driving in difficult weather.
For now, our clearing skies and calming winds will be unable to hold our attention as we continuously monitor the real weather news of the week.
Stacey Kawecki – Observer and Meteorologist
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Me and Jim Cantore, live on the Weather Channel
It's going on midnight right now, and I am only just winding down what did indeed turn out to be an unusually busy Tuesday. Because of the late hour and long day, I am going to keep things brief for this comment, but I at least wanted to take a few minutes to update everyone on what went on today.
In case you missed the comment yesterday or aren't a fan of the Observatory's page on Facebook, a crew filming a show for the Weather Channel arrived on the mountain today. This crew included Jim Cantore, a very well known meteorologist and TV personality for the Weather Channel. They spent the better part of today interviewing everyone on the summit, as well as filming outside for a full 30 minute show about the Observatory that will likely air sometime in February.
In addition to shooting footage for this show, Jim also did a couple live feeds for the Weather Channel this evening. I was included on one of those feeds and answered a couple questions that their viewers sent in.
In all, it was a very exciting and productive day. It was also a very tiring day, so with that, I'm off to bed to get some rest for yet another crazy day tomorrow!
Brian Clark – Observer and Meteorologist
Tuesdays are always busy days for the summit crew, mostly because it is the day before shift change. This means finishing up projects that we have been working on for the week, doing the weekly cleaning, and generally getting ready not only to head down the mountain, but also to welcome the upcoming crew to the beginning of their work week.
Tomorrow promises to be even busier than a usual Tuesday. We will be welcoming a very well known name in the TV weather business to the summit tomorrow: Jim Cantore. Jim is best known for his work on the Weather Channel and for reporting during extreme weather events. He is coming to the summit with a film crew to shoot footage for a show called "Cantore's Stories". This show will give viewers a new perspective on extreme climates in America and abroad. Through interviews with the people who live and work in these environments, the show will illustrate how weather influences their way of life. What better place to do that than Mount Washington!
Unfortunately, Mr. Cantore won't see much extreme weather, at least by Mount Washington standards. Temperatures will remain above average and winds relatively low throughout his visit, which lasts from tomorrow through Thursday. Looking on the bright side of things (which I often like to do) this will make filming outside a lot easier for the Weather Channel crew. It also helps that the concept of the show seems to be slightly more focused on the people rather than solely the weather.
This isn't the first time the Jim Cantore has visited the Rockpile. It was just a little over 2 years ago that he was here on my shift with WCBS New York weather personality Lonnie Quinn, acting as a special guest for a show being filmed for WCBS. We are all very excited to welcome such a big name in the meteorological world back to the summit. I'm sure that tomorrow we will have some pictures of the work that the Weather Channel crew will be doing, so be sure to watch for that!
Brian Clark – Observer and Meteorologist
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Found ya!
If you grew up in the late '80's and early '90's, then you are probably familiar with the coffee table book series of 'Where's Waldo'. But if not, let me explain what 'Waldo' was/is all about. Waldo is a cartoon man that has a distinct outfit made up of the following: brown shoes, blue pants, a thick lined red and white long sleeved shirt, a pair of horn-rimed glasses, a red and white striped beanie and a walking cane. Waldo was also a man of travel, taking him to some exotic locales usually flooded with a sea of other characters. It was then the job of the 'reader' (ie, you) to scour these photos and try to find Waldo hidden in the mass of people. Sometimes it was simple and he stuck out like a sore thumb with his stripped shirt but there were times when he seemed to go to Waldo fan club gatherings where it was a sea of similar looking people with only one unique Waldo in the crowd. But it didn't always end with just finding Waldo. Once he was found, the books would sometimes have you find other characters, objects, or specific scenes. It was one of those books you could pick up at a doctors office, have some fun, then put down walking away with a sense of accomplishment.
Flash forward to the new millennium where we find Waldo taking an exotic journey to the summit of Mount Washington, NH. Since I arrived here in December 2005, Waldo has been a summit staple. I'm not sure where we got Waldo (maybe he walked up here like Dr Schlitz) but since we got him, we have made a real world game of 'Wheres Waldo' with him. The object of our game is similar to the books in that Waldo hides and it is our job to find him. It sounds simple enough but when you start applying the rules we have made up, it begins to become a bit more difficult.
To start, Waldo is hidden by the shift that finds him for the opposite shift to find. If the opposite shift doesn't find him in their week, that is where Waldo remains until that shift either stumble on him by accident or finds him on purpose. Then it is their turn to hide him. He has to be hidden somewhere in the weather room; so nowhere downstairs, no conference room, no ICU, no server rooms, no bathroom, no observer office, no library, and no kitchen/pantry. He can be hidden anywhere by any means with the only caveat being he has to be partially visible at any given time. So this means you can't put him in anything completely enclosed like a metal box or above the ceiling tiles. But if that box had some sort of mesh, or the ceiling tiles had some sort of hole or crack that was always open, it is fair game. And that's essentially our game.
It is a simple game and one that isn't very involving. It is a game that can be picked up at any time by anyone with as much dedication and thought as you are willing to put into it. The game can take seconds, or in occasional cases, months to play. It is a game that is simple in theory but difficult when applied. And to this end, we all have a little 'Waldo' in our life. In meteorology, Waldo might be that ripple in the atmospheric models that you need to find to know what might happen. In the police field, it might be the criminal that has been alluding capture for weeks at a time. For a big game hunter it might be that trophy Buck. For a computer programmer, Waldo might be that one line of code you need to change to make your epic failure an epic success. A chef might be looking for 'Waldo' to add some spice to a dish. For stock traders, Waldo is that company that you speculate to buy low with and then have it explode. And so on and so forth.
But seeking out something that is hidden isn't the only metaphor one can pull from Waldo. One can say he is no one yet everyone. He is no where yet everywhere if you look hard enough. He trys to blend and fit in but ends up being a completely unique individual. He explores the world, escaping his comfort zones and meeting individuals he might not otherwise get to know. He always appears happy when photographed regardless of the situation he finds himself in. He hides but wants to be found. And so on and without getting too deep, I will leave it at these. When you start digging into what 'being Waldo' means, you find that he has some pretty big shoes to fill for being such a little guy. Even on the summit, he plays a larger role than just a game as he serves as a connection between shifts that only get to know each other through passing or via Facebook status updates. So, bravo Waldo! But enough praising, I got your picture so it's back into hiding for you for the other shift to find...
Ryan Knapp – Staff Meteorologist
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Sunrise
This is my first week here on the summit, and what a week it has been so far. On Wednesday as I climbed up into my first snow tractor at the base of the auto road, I was filled with anticipation and excitement. We crept up the side of the mountain slowly, getting higher and higher as I watched the windows of the tractor begin to frost over. When the doors finally opened and that cold burst of air hit my exposed face, I knew I had arrived.
The next few days consisted of a whirl wind (pun intended) of new experiences. Climbing the frozen ridgeline to Mt. Clay with a film crew shooting an intriguing and mysterious movie, practicing some self arrests, and getting a few turns in on the East Snowfields with fellow observers were a few highlights. I've also begun to look at some mundane chores a bit differently. Have you ever had to think about how you hold a shovel, or place your feet, as you shovel your walkway? I've learned very quickly that these simple placement choices can mean the difference between getting the job done and watching your shovel grow a pair of wings and fly off into the clouds.
I couldn't imagine a better place to spend my winter.
Nick Lovejoy – Summit Intern
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A 'Glory'ous Day!
Looking toward the windows as I type this, I remember what it was like yesterday when I looked out the windows. Today they are, for the most part, covered in rime. There is a dense fog outside that is forming this layer of white and grey, a fog thick enough to get turned around in. I was outside retrieving the precipitation can as we do every 6 hours and found myself a ways off when I expected to be nearly to it. Walking over to switch it out with a new one, two hikers approached and asked where the top was. I pointed to an area 50 or so feet away and they headed to it. I'm glad they made it to the summit fine and hope they make it down the same way. Coming up there's only one summit, but heading back there are an awful lot of bottoms. Today is a good day to debug code or organize an array of cables, fix a broken cabinet or make coffee cake.
Yesterday was a good day to do anything except those things. Every once in a great while, you get a day where it is better to simply take advantage of it and enjoy it for all it's worth. Get outside and do something - enjoy the sunrise, go for a hike, or take a few runs on the snowfields. A couple hours outside with bluebird skies, mid 20's temps, and light winds make it a bit easier to manage endless days of fog and wind in a row. That's not to say one can get out and hike then too...there's just a lot less to see and a bit more difficult to keep one's footing.
Mike Finnegan – IT Observer
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A happy observer in the East Snowfields
Today was one of those rare winter days where winds drop below 10 mph, temperatures are "warm" (low to mid 20's), and the sun is shining brightly. We might see a day like this once a month in the winter and if we're lucky, it's on our shift. Because of this, the summit crew is always sure to take advantage of such fantastic weather by getting outside for various outdoor activities, as the work load allows of course. In fact today, all of us that work during the day (Mike F. and I, our new intern Nick, and our volunteer Steve) were able to get out to hike/climb, ski, snowboard, or a combination of all of those.
I headed down to the East Snowfields for my first backcountry ski turns of the season. It is fairly unusual for my first turns to come this late in the season, but vacation time and weather have prevented me from going earlier. The skiing conditions were fantastic and the hike back up was just as enjoyable. I never get tired of the views from that area of the mountain. Upon arriving back at the building, I realized that this was the first time I have done any significant hiking/climbing since tearing my hamstring back in August. I am very glad that I ended that drought and even more glad that I didn't feel too many effects from that injury.
As is usually the case this time of year, the conditions we had today will be short lived. Tomorrow, the fog will likely roll back in and winds will increase as well, bringing back more typical January conditions to the mountain.
Brian Clark – Observer and Meteorologist
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Sunrise this morning
WOW !!! What a difference a year makes!
Marion and I have volunteered at the Observatory since the early 90's and have come to expect changes as the Observatory improves with the times. However, this year is one that ranks at the top of the list!
First, we started from the base in the 'new' Bombardier tractor which has a heated compartment for the crew and passengers, and each person has their own cushioned seat facing a flat screen TV. No! We did not watch TV on the way to the top as we were renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. The trip took about the same time as the old tractor, but after arriving we were in for a complete surprise. The interior of the crew's quarters have been extensively remodeled. The furniture in the living area is new with 3 large comfortable couches. The wood parquet floor in the kitchen was replaced and the cast iron Garland stove is gone. It was replaced with a new electronic Viking gas stove. The best improvement of all was due to the changes the State made in the septic system over the summer.
Water use in the winter has always been a concern as waste water had to be stored in the building until the leach fields thawed in the spring. The new system allows for normal use of water even in the winter. The change means the the crew can shower more than once a week. HURRAH!
The one thing that hasn't changed is the crews willingness to accept new volunteers each week and make them feel a part of the 'team'.
We thank Steve, Stacey, Mike and Drew for making this another great week on the 'Rockpile'.
Al and Marion Lake – Summit Volunteers
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Artist, Marion, works her magic.
I woke up this morning to Observer Steve Welsh's voice looping in my head: ''Get a haircut,
you hippie.''
It had been eight months since I last cut my hair, and, well, it was about time... or at least
that's what my parents (and shift leader) had been telling me. Truth be told, the hair-in-
the-eye thing kind of gets old-- no matter how dashingly rugged it makes me look (hah!).
So, this morning, I solicited Observatory volunteer Marion Lake (you may have heard of
her) for a trim. Marion's most notable feat during this 60-minute long haircut was,
without a doubt, her delicate removal of my three inch mullet with children's scissors.
Marion, you ought to be a professional hairstylist.
The rest of the week has been equally productive. On Saturday, our crew was greeted by the
EduTrip mentioned in Aubrie's January 9th comment. This was my first experience with an
EduTrip. I was impressed, to say the least. The students were friendly, interesting, and
eager to learn. A few of us even went for a hike to the Great Gulf headwall in 40 mph
winds and near-zero temperatures. They were rugged. The EduTrip curriculum caught me off
guard, as well. I'm not sure why, but I've always thought of an EduTrip as a simple meet-
and-greet overnight on the summit. This is not the case. In fact, there's much more to it.
Observers, volunteers, and the EduTrip leaders went out of their way last weekend to make
sure that the students came away from their summit experience with a firm understanding of
what goes on up here. Steve and Mike demonstrated their methods of weather observation;
Stacey took students on in-depth guided tours of the living quarters, museum, and
observation room; Dave, the Edu Trip head honcho, led several climate-based studies and
discussions; Aubrie, past intern and second in command of the EduTrip, took students
around the observation deck and summit grounds; and Al and Marion, our beloved volunteers,
prepared a social mixer replete with crackers, wine and cheese. Suffice it to say, I will
be looking forward to these EduTrips as my stint here on the Rockpile continues.
In line with today's theme of ''productivity,'' I should note that my first ObsCast debuted
yesterday morning. What a fun experience! It's corny, but filming this week's ObsCast has
really helped me feel more at home up here. The Observatory crew showed their support
during what would have, otherwise, been a pretty stressful undertaking. Especially Aubrie,
who spent a lot of time showing me the ropes and kicking my-- how does Steve put this?--
derriere at Rockband and Wii Rodeo.
I find myself falling more in love with this mountain everyday-- which, after four amazing
summers of working in its shadow, really says something.
Drew Hill – Summit Intern
 "see caption below")
Sunset between two cloud layers
Generally speaking when we hope for 'good' weather up on the summit it is something on the
order of category 1 hurricane winds, snow, rime and all the wonders that make the summit
of Mount Washington so unique. However, the dominant high pressure yesterday was an event
that you hope for every once in a while as well. Along with this calm system, winds were
only at a lulling 50 mph, with a visibility at a maximum 120+ miles below some higher
clouds. Kyle and I were fortunate enough to travel up in this beautiful weather for our
second trip as PSU winter interns. We shared the snowcat trip up along with a film crew
who are making an indie film based upon an observer on top of Mount Washington. As they
needed a shot on the way up, we stopped around the 5 mile marker on the Auto Road, and wow
what a view. With a 15 minute break I shot as many pictures as possible of the close and
distant mountains from west to east.
Upon arriving at the summit and settling in, I realized how much I had already missed
being up here. Every hour or so, I couldn't resist the urge to go outside and walk around
to take in as much as possible since we were expecting foggy conditions for today. Along
with an amazing view of the southern Presidentials
and beyond, there was a perfect ending to such a nice day. As under cast clouds rolled in
from the northwest the sun began to set over the undulating ocean of clouds that surely
had the valley in overcast, we were provided with a view of opportunity. As the sun set,
we stood by the windows trying to catch a glimpse of the illusive 'green flash', alas,
with no such success. Yet the fiery sky, with clouds sandwiching the sun, I had to run
outside to take some pictures. With the wind in my face and the sun falling below the
clouds, I finally was able to see my first Mount Washington summit sunset.
Andrew Foley – Plymouth State Intern
 "see caption below")
First and foremost, Happy Birthday to fellow observer, Mike Finnegan! Two years and one day ago, Mike Finnegan began working as an IT Observer on my shift (I miss him terribly) and that's how I remember both his birthday and his start date. Secondly, the breath-taking beauty of Mount Washington never ceases to amaze me. Fresh blood (interns and visiting guests) always seems to reinvigorate my own appreciation for the mountain and all it has to offer. Their excitement at seeing a sunset, sunrise, interesting cloud formation, high winds, or extremely cold temperatures for the first time is contagious; more infectious than H1N1.
Last night almost everyone ventured outside to get a glimpse of the sun, as it sank beneath a languid layer of clouds. The blowing snow, sub-zero temperatures, and 50 mph winds only added to the exhilaration of the experience. This morning everyone rustled out of bed to witness a spectacular sunrise. Bright hues of pink and orange lit up the smooth lenticular clouds overhead against a backdrop of blue. The alpine glow put rose colored lenses on all of our eyes as it painted the scenery in a beautiful pink blush.
Night settles upon the summit again and the stars teasingly reveal themselves between spells of fog. Most of us will retire to slumber with anticipation of what tomorrow will bring.
Sunrise pictures were taken by Drew.
Stacey Kawecki – Observer and Meteorologist
Oh, the Summit of Mount Washington! How I have missed thee. It truly is a joy to be up here again on an EduTrip for the MWOBS. I would almost swear it is back to the good ole days of the fall of 2007 when I was a young intern.
After an interesting Saturday-- instead of Wednesday-- journey to the summit, the group and I were welcomed by the shift and volunteers. We took a safety tour, ate some lunch, and played in the 61 mph gusts. I then returned to my old post in the kitchen with the volunteers. Al and Marion told me about all their travels and what inevitably led them to the observatory.
One of the most welcoming feelings about life on the summit is the bond we develop here. There are three observers and about two interns that stay constant for at least a season. I would now be considered a changing variable as I am apart of the EduTrip crew as an assistant trip leader. While it is daunting to not be in the loop anymore, I remember always enjoying the fresh new face and unique story that came with each visitor to the summit.
Once I heard a new story, I went to catch up on those I had not heard in a while. I got to help Steve and Stacey with some work while hearing how they both were and what was new in their lives. I tried to get Steve to sing and dance with me, but just like old times he looked at me as if I were crazy. Then I made a point to put a face to a voice with Mike Carmon who is someone I have spoken to briefly on the phone when I call up to chat.
The most enjoyable part of my trip so far has been spending time with Drew who is the new winter intern. I finally have a chance to prepare someone new for an experience they will never forget. I was thrilled to hear he adores this place as much as I do. My wish for him is that he will not get bored of standing outside and letting this place take his breathe away. I am confident that he will not disappoint. Also, I have high expectations for his ObsCASTs and I hope you will all tune in this week as he makes his introduction.
Unfortunately, that is it for me. I hope to be back up in a year with another great EduTrip for more fun and weather. For now, I hope you all enjoy some of the valley snow and have a happy new year! Be well.
Aubrie Pace – Former Intern
 "see caption below")
The a-frame greets a sleepy intern.
So, I didn't sleep through my alarm this morning. And good thing; 6:30 found me on the
observation deck, fighting off frostbite and snapping pictures of a glorious sunrise.
Picture this: Undercast to the west. Overcast to the east. A sanguine sun rises slowly in
between. The Wildcats, dappled with iridescent fog and coated in an unreal sheen of rime,
snake their way along the horizon. Along the southwestern flank of the Presidential ridge,
Lakes of the Clouds floats on a strato-cumulus ocean. It was the first spell of mild
weather since our shift climbed (read: rode the plush snow cat up) the Rock Pile on
Wednesday, and boy was it appreciated.
These past three days have been pretty busy-- chock full of shoveling, deicing,
forecasting, and, of course, feasting. I even took my first solo "fog obs" yesterday.
Exhilarating! Like Ryan said: it's the small things.
In other news, today is Elvis's birthday. Al and Marion, our wonderful volunteers, helped
us celebrate in style. After a smorgasbord of ham and tuna, cheeses and vegetable
trimmings, fudge and cookie bars, Al grilled up some "Elvis" sandwiches. Ever had one? Me
neither. Well, until today. You and I, my friend, have been missing out. First, Al takes a
buttered slice of bread-- butterside down, naturally-- and lathers the top with peanut
butter. Then, atop the PB, he lays several thin slices of banana-- length-wise slices work
the best. A drizzling of honey helps to sweeten things up a bit. And, in what can only be
described as a touch of genius, Al adds a few slices of bacon. Yup. Bacon. The "Elvis" is
finished off with a final piece of PB-&-butter-coated bread, and grilled.
I think I need a nap... or maybe a food coma. Happy birthday Elvis.
Drew Hill – Summit Intern
Nothing inspires better than singing, disillusioned muppets who live in New York City. I am sitting in the weather room. It is foggy, chilly, and only a little windy with no exciting weather in the near future. We do have a new intern to train (you'll hear from him in the near future) but he seems to have a handle on things (aka, shoveling, de-icing, and fog obs). So, it is comment writing time and I've got nothing!
The muppets sing about how life isn't quite what they expected. In fact, one of the songs is titled 'It sucks to be me'. While listening to the aforementioned song, I had the opposite reaction. I've had a surprisingly rewarding day. In addition to training a new intern, I got to do a distance learning program, the Fundamentals of Climate, with a high school class. The class was in Rhode Island, and they were really into it! It still boggles my mind how we are able to connect with schools all over the country. The Observatory is able to provide a real life 'hook' into science through interactive virtual field trips to the summit of Mount Washington. Today was especially fun because the students had a good grasp on the topic and seemed to be really excited to connect with us.
If you would like to learn more about our programs, click here. With the video conferencing technology, the world is at our fingertips!
Stacey Kawecki – Observer and Meteorologist
 "see caption below")
Here comes the sun!
Today was my fifth day on the summit, and it is the first day my fellow intern Andrew Foley and I have experienced any decent stretch of good visibility. The day started off with relatively light winds and what a surprise, fog. Fairly significant rime ice had
formed from the past few days, adding even more white to the foggy landscape.
As Brian went to do his 2 p.m. weather observation, Andrew and I followed along and were
greeted to partial clearing, with many of the low cloud bases below the summit. This
partial clearing provided us with views into the valley below
and of the many different cloud types surrounding the peak. Beautiful lenticulars
could be seen over the southern Presidentials, along with some higher altostratus and
cirrus clouds.
Not long after, the sun made its way out from behind the altostratus clouds and
left us with a bright white summit landscape. Andrew and I and the two volunteers for the
week Ed and John took this rare opportunity to take some pictures and enjoy a walk around
the summit. It was strange to actually be able to see all the buildings on the summit
without being obscured by fog or snow. The slight fog still remaining in the air around
the summit allowed us to see a fog bow while
the sun was at our back. Pictures can not do this optical phenomenon justice, but its
faint outline can still be seen stretching from near the summit marker across the blue
sky.
As I approach the last night of my first shift of my internship, I have gained
great respect for the observers who dutifully collect reliable weather data every hour of
the day, no matter what the conditions are. There is a tight knit sense of teamwork and
friendship between them and they have all made this an experience I will never forget.
Thanks Brian, Mike and Ryan and I look forward to meeting the other shift of observers
next week!
Kyle Itterly – Plymouth State Intern
 "see caption below")
Kyle hiking towards Mt. Clay
As the week drew ever near to my internship at Mount Washington I began to wonder what it would be like and how things would turn out. Are you able to walk in 80 mph winds? Will I catch frostbite? How will the food be while I am up there? Well I have only been here for a few days now along with my fellow student and intern Kyle Itterly and we have discovered the answers to all these questions and more.
Kyle and I were in the Plymouth State University Meteorology program together when we found out that we would be going to the summit of Mount Washington to intern. For me it was especially exciting because it would be the first major event since completing school in the fall. I had spoken with a few students who had previously done the internship in years past, yet I still wasn't positive what we were getting into. The first surprise came when we entered into the MWO Snowcat and it not only was heated, but had a TV. When we reached the top we were greeted by Brian and Mike, both observers here, and the carving of 2010 into rime that had formed on the building wall.
The past few days have been a blur with the excitement and disappointment of high winds on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Though 92mph winds was a first for me, but not quite in the 100+ category we were hoping for. I have learned that blowing snow and freezing fog is more common than I thought up here.
Other than the high winds, one of the other great things I have experienced was Kyle and my hike to Mt. Clay. As we were shoveling this morning we realized how nice of a day it was, you know small patches of blue sky and winds under 35mph, we decided it would be a great day to hike. When I say awe inspiring, I think my words could never justify. So I will try to give some clues as to the views we saw today.
As our time continues, I can only wait in anticipation for what is to come next. As far as the earlier questions, well, it is possible to endure 80 mph winds but it is nice to have something to hold onto. I haven't caught frostbite yet, in fact, the shoveling and hiking have kept me quite warm. As far as the food is concerned, let's just say I have never had such great meals on top of a mountain or even at school.
Andrew Foley – Plymouth State Intern
Oops.
That's the best word I can think of to summarize my feelings about the forecast I made for the storm that moved in yesterday afternoon and is now winding down as I write this. In the weather forecasting world, we call the forecast I made a 'busted forecast'. In this case though, I REALLY busted on my forecast. I mentioned in my comment last night that we were expecting wind gusts well over 100 mph and perhaps the highest winds in years. Instead, we got a peak gust of 92.3 mph. Wind speeds of that magnitude are a regular occurrence during the winter time. Snowfall also didn't end up being nearly as heavy as expected with only a few inches being measured.
Meteorology is and always will be an inexact science. It is an especially inexact science here on Mount Washington. This is one thing about meteorology that I have always found intriguing, but it is also what causes busted forecasts like this one.
Now I try to look on the bright side of things whenever possible. The bright side of this situation is that it will end up being a learning experience in a lot of different ways. When I find some time either today or tomorrow, I plan on pouring over some data from the storm, trying to figure out why it didn't turn out nearly as I thought it would
Another bright side is that there is a lot of winter left to go. There will always be another storm to look forward to on Mount Washington, another chance for record breaking winds, and another chance to do a better job of forecasting!
Brian Clark – Observer and Meteorologist
The feeling of anticipation was certainly in the air around the weather room this morning and afternoon. Perhaps the most excited out of all of us were the people that don't get to be here nearly as often as the full-time staff: the two Plymouth State interns and our volunteers John and Ed. Don't get me wrong, I'm REALLY excited for this storm and I know that my fellow observers Ryan and Mike are as well.
Why such excitement and anticipation? Well, this is an intense storm that is bearing down on the summit as I write this. The pressure gradient that is going to set up over the region tonight and tomorrow morning is very impressive. Pressure gradient is what drives the winds; the stronger the pressure gradient, the stronger the winds. There is a very good chance that we will see the highest wind speeds that we have seen in several years or maybe even longer. Coupled with the high winds will be heavy snowfall, temperatures around 0, and of course our good friend freezing fog. All this will make for extremely dangerous conditions through tomorrow. If you holiday weekend plans involved travel not only on Mount Washington but anywhere in the higher terrain of the White Mountains, I highly suggest changing those plans!
For more details on the storm that is causing all this weather, check out the entry that I posted to my blog on AccuWeather.com earlier today. Of course, keep your eyes here on our website tomorrow for current conditions and updates through the Observer Comments as well.
It's going to be an exciting time to be on the summit of Mount Washington!
Brian Clark – Observer and Meteorologist
 "see caption below")
9 courses at once.
Being the night observer on the night of New Years allowed me to do a few "firsts" for the observatory. Nothing record breaking but sometimes it's the little things. I got to put on the first new wind and temperature charts of the New Year and new decade. But I also got to do the first weather observation, the first deicing, first precipitation can collection, the first synoptic, the first radio broadcasts, the first higher summits forecast online and on the phone, and now the first comment on the front page. Although there were a lot of firsts for the New Year on my shift, the overall weather that occurred didn't bring any new firsts for me. The clock hit midnight and life proceeded as usual on my shift. Our guests celebrated downstairs while I switched out the charts upstairs. The "Oh-Oh's" decade came to an end last night as 2009 drew its last seconds and 2010 came rolling in starting what some are calling the "Teens" decade or the funnier decade definition of the "Onesies". But earlier in the night, I did experience a new first on the summit: a nine course dinner with an Edutrip, who, unlike my last New Years Edutrip the first year I worked here, stayed up until midnight instead of kicking off at 10 pm.
The dinner went smoothly and was one of the best ones I have had up here or pretty much anywhere. What made it even cooler is seeing what it took leading up to it. Since I was in charge of weekly shopping this week, that meant I was graced with the list of what to buy. When I got the list, some of the items on the list were items I had never even heard of and since Berlin only has a choice of small IGA and a Super Walmart (who, despite being big and cheap, has a small selection of unique menu items), this meant I had to travel an hour south to North Conway, NH to fulfill the needs of this list. And I found out via my Facebook status update that the head Chef of this Edutrip, John Bauhs, was going to be in the area Tuesday afternoon. So to make my life easier, I convinced him to come shopping with me to pick out what he wanted for the dinner.
Well, after three hours of shopping, plenty of assistance from multiple Shaw's employees and many, many, many cell phone calls to the summit and valley offices, we completed our shopping list. Loading all the grocery bags in the back of my small hatchback car, I felt like I was stuffing one of those cartoons clown cars where 100 clowns come out of small toy car. And with temperatures expected in the negative single digits Tuesday night, that meant when I got home, each one of the bags would have to come inside for the night then back out in the morning. Unloading Tuesday night took 15 minutes followed up by a reloading of 15 minutes some 12 hours later on Wednesday. Then they were once again unloaded from my car and loaded into the Bombardier tractor, brought up and unloaded once again at the summit.
As soon as we arrived on the summit, John and Ed (the two volunteers) unbagged the groceries, double checked everything, then set out on the task of preparation of the meal more than 24 hours away. Ending around 130 am the night of Wednesday, they both put about 13 hours in. Then starting on Wednesday, they went back to work preparing lunch and the rest of dinner. When all was said and done with the last dish placed into the dishwasher, they had put in an additional 17 hours of work on New Years Eve. A surreal amount of time but resulting in an exceptional dinner which couldn't have been rushed. So from buying to presenting, some 34 hours of work were put into a 2.5 hour meal.
And what about the meal itself? Well, by the end of them I was stuffed. Normally, I would have called it quits by course 5 but each plate looked so good when placed in front of me that I pushed through the mental block and pushed on until the last bite of ice cream. If you have ever seen "Monty Python and The Meaning of Life" I felt like Mr. Creosote who eats and eats then pays for it when he eats a wafer-thin mint. But luckily the results of my last bite didn't end as poorly as it did for Mr. Creosote.
If you checked out Brian's link yesterday, you saw our menu of meals but they say a picture is worth 1000 words, so here is what each course looked like (just click on the underlined highlighted words for a picture pop up):
Course 1: Amuse Bouche; various croustades, appetizers, nibbles and beverages
Course 2: Smoked Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crisps
Course 3: Belgian Endive Salad with Spiced Pears and Blue Cheese
Course 4: Maine Lobster with Mango, Avocado, Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Ginger-Lime Sauternes Sauce
Course 5: Duck Breast with Port Wine Shallot Reduction
Course 6: Ragout of Lamb with Olives and Preserved Lemon
Course 7: Chateubriand with Bernaise
Course 8: Assorted Cheeses and Winter Fruit Chutney
Course 9: The "Rockpile Trio," featuring a Banana Caramel Tart, Mini Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake and Roasted Coconut Ice Cream
It was a lot of fun ringing in the New Year with a great group of people. They got a great meal and a great day of weather on the summit of the rockpile. While the remainder of our Edutrips won't have a nine course meal with them, the meals our winter volunteers prepare are equally great. If you have never been to the summit in the winter, an Edutrip is a great way to experience the mountain, the people, our lifestyles, and our nightly dinner and the converstations that go along with them. For more information on how you can visit the summit and for a list of some of our other Edutrips expected this season, click here. And if you want to find out more about how to prepare meals just like this, Chef John Bauhs (the person behind this meal) will be leading an Edutrip to teach how to prepare meals at altitude. For more information or to sign up for this particular trip, click here. We hope to see you some time this year where you can make some memorable firsts for yourselves in the first year of the decade of "Onesies".
Ryan Knapp – Staff Meteorologist
OUR PARTNERS
14:42 Sun Jan 31st
Wolf Moon
Shoveling is my favorite intern responsibility.
Don't get me wrong there are many activities which I love taking part in up here at the Observatory, but shoveling has recently been near the top of the list. After I wake up in the wee hours of the morning, I'll pull on some snow pants, get a few warm layers, strap up my boots, and head out the door. I like to shovel with a 'Top Down' approach, where I'll start in the tower, move down to the Observatory deck, then shovel the emergency exits, and finally the front entrance.
This may sound like a lot of work to some, but for me, it's a great way to start out my day. Getting outside and really feeling the weather in the mornings always gives me an idea of what's in store for the day. It's also quite amazing how the summit can get only a tenth of an inch of snow, but if the winds are just right, that little bit of snow can blow into gargantuan drifts, usually right where I need to shovel.
Recently it has been quite cold. These low temperatures coupled with some decent winds have made for interesting shoveling. I can't wait to see what tomorrow morning has in store for me.
Nick Lovejoy – Summit Intern