New Hampshire's Highest Point Is Home To An Extreme Weather Observatory
By Michelle|Published November 28, 2020
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
We’ve all seen photos of the extreme conditions on Everest and other high peaks around the world, but did you know that the most extreme weather on the planet can be found right here in New Hampshire? Mount Washington, the highest peak in the state, experiences the coldest temps and photos from the top certainly prove it. So, it’s not surprising the one of the most notable weather stations in the world is sitting right on top!
Mount Washington is one of the state's most recognizable features. Visible from a variety of places, it stands tall over us, reminding us that somewhere, somehow, there's already snow!
And that's because no matter what the weather is at sea-level, there's a good chance the summit of the state's highest point is experiencing something vastly different.
The saying, "home of the world's worst weather," is actually pretty spot-on. And that might be why one of the most important weather centers in the world is right here.
The Mount Washington Weather Observatory has been operational in some capacity since 1870. Before the Weather Bureau began working at the summit, the U.S. Signal Service was keeping records here.
The mission of the observatory is to "advance understanding of the natural systems that create the Earth's weather and climate, by maintaining its mountaintop weather station, conducting research and educational programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region."
It is their mission that has kept things moving since the early days. The observatory serves as a vital record for climate change. And while many other weather stations have upgraded their technology, the center here continues to use a fairly simple "sling psychrometer" which contains two mercury thermometers. This older tool has meant super-scientific readings that are highly accurate.
And with the weather experienced here at the summit, it's no wonder the weather center sits here. In fact, back in 1934 the highest winds recorded to date were measured here at whopping 231 miles-per-hour!
The observatory offers tours which can be booked in advance. These are great for curious kids and adults that want to learn more about climate, science, and New Hampshire.
But even if you aren't able to visit for a tour, taking a trip to the summit of Mount Washington is worth it. The views are incredible and there's a good chance you'll experience at least some unexpected weather!
The Mount Washington Observatory is a fascinating place to visit. To get there, consider the auto road, which is a fun road trip from the base of the mountain to the top. Or, you can hike all the way up. Either way, plan on spending some time at the top. You can learn more about the observatory here. And you can even check it out on Facebook. The discovery center has, unfortunately, recently been closed, but you can still take a tour of the weather center. Check out this page for more information on their schedule and how to reserve a space.
