THE MOUNT WASHINGTON OBSERVERS
Dedicated Weatherheads
 
The staff at the Mount Washington Observatory has occupied the mountain summit continuously since 1932. In fact, the station was the first high-elevation, severe weather station of its kind in the world to take continuous observations.

The Observatory maintains two crews, working on an every-other-week schedule. Every Wednesday morning the upgoing crew will ascend to the summit (via a twin-tracked snow vehicle during the winter) and exchange notes with the downgoing crew, who leave mid-afternoon. The weather room is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In a typical day, observers host three or four radio shows in the morning, disseminate various weather information and perform daily "walkarounds" to ensure all systems are operating satisfactorily, conduct hourly weather observations, monitor ongoing research work, compile an official summary of the day's meteorological events and occasionally double as search-and-rescue workers.

Before approaching the summit and the Observatory, visitors pass through the White Mountain National Forest, past a warning sign that reads: "Stop. The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died there from exposure, even in the summer. Turn back if the weather is bad." Every winter some Observatory staffers pitch in to help find lost or missing hikers. If you want to visit, we recommend you wait until mid-May, when the roads will be opened and temperatures more moderate. Or, visit us on the web at mountwashington.org.