Latest news with #MountWashingtonObservatory
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern lights dazzle night sky near New England's highest peak after geomagnetic storm
Vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple danced across the night sky over New Hampshire on Monday night as a strong geomagnetic storm hit Earth. The Northern Lights put on a stunning display that was seen clearly from the Mount Washington Observatory. 'The northern lights put on another beautiful display at the summit last night, thanks to a strong geomagnetic storm and little to no clouds around the summit,' the Observatory said in a Facebook post. Despite wind chills nearing 20 degrees, summit staff were able to capture a breathtaking photo of the phenomenon also known as the aurora borealis. 'Summit staff had to bundle up to watch the event around midnight, but weather observer Charlie P. was able to capture this photo before being forced inside by the cold," the Observatory added. Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere, according to Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Photos show 4 inches of snowfall at Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire
Photos show rime ice formations at Mount Washington in New Hampshire - what is the phenomenon? Photos show rime ice formations at Mount Washington in New Hampshire - what is the phenomenon? Photos show rime ice formations at Mount Washington in New Hampshire - what is the phenomenon? While parts of Massachusetts received several inches of rain on Thursday, up in New Hampshire, there was snow on the summit of Mount Washington. The Mount Washington Observatory shared photos on their Facebook, adding that more than 4 inches of snow fell on the summit. More snow is expected for Friday and by the end of the weekend, the snow total could reach close to a foot. A truck covered with ice and snow at the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire on May 23, 2025. Mount Washington Observatory Photos from the observatory show a New Hampshire State Parks truck and Mount Washington State Park sign covered in ice and snow. Is snow on Mount Washington in May unusual? Snow on Mount Washington in May is certainly nothing unusual. The weather at 6,288 feet is vastly different from what we experience down near sea level. With wind gusts expected to top 70 miles per hour later this weekend, scientists at the observatory are expecting whiteout conditions at times. Winds are often strong at the top of the mountain, with gusts topping 150 miles per hour back in February. Ana avalanche warning was issued at the time. A snow-covered sign on Mount Washington in New Hampshire on May 23, 2025. Mount Washington Observatory The average total snowfall at the summit in the month of May is 12.9 inches and the record for the month was back in 1997 when a whopping 95.8 inches of snow fell! What is Mount Washington? Located in New Hampshire, Mount Washington is the highest peak in New England at 6,288 feet. From the peak, areas as far away as Quebec, New York and Vermont can be seen on a clear day.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Winter Weather Is Rocking New England's Tallest Peak
It might be spring, but on Mount Washington, New England's highest peak, wintry weather has in New Hampshire, Mount Washington stands tall at 6,288 feet and is no stranger to intense meteorological conditions like gusty winds and rime ice. Due to its propensity for frigid storms, Mount Washington is, fittingly, often referred to as the home of the 'world's worst weather.' But given the time of year, the Mount Washington Observatory's recent social media update could, to those who aren't clued into the wild mood swings associated with mountain weather, feel a bit to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates. 'Good morning from a wintry summit!' the update, which was published Thursday, May 22, 2025, morning, read, 'Observers woke up this morning to a rime-covered observation deck.'The post shared a series of photos that, if you didn't know any better, could've depicted a far-flung Antarctic outpost. But no. This is the Presidential Range in May. More chilly weather could be on the way. Thursday night, three to five inches of snow could fall, accompanied by winds gusting as high as 85 miles per hour, according to the Mount Washington Observatory's snowfall is forecasted on Friday, and temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s, with the wind chill reaching slightly below freezing. The icy temperatures, however, won't be setting any new Mount Washington benchmarks. 'Cold? Yes. Record-setting for the summit? Nope, not even close, as the record lows for Thursday and Friday are 11°F,' wrote staff meteorologist Ryan Knapp in the he advised, 'Just because it is not record-setting doesn't mean it will be warm, especially for this late in May,' noting that hikers should prepare adequately and be cautious of the winter conditions. Hypothermia is a risk. Mount Washington could total six inches of snow from the storm, according to Knapps' as summer arrives, the possibility of snow on Mount Washington will linger. The Observatory has recorded snowfall at its peak every month of the year, but from a statistical standpoint, the season's last flakes usually fall in Weather Is Rocking New England's Tallest Peak first appeared on Powder on May 22, 2025
CBS News
12-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Video shows snowboarder outrunning avalanche on Mount Washington
Dramatic video shows a snowboarder outrunning an avalanche on Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Tuesday, able to escape without injury. The avalanche happened in Tuckerman's Ravine. In the video, the snowboarder drops into the bowl, and a short time later the snow can be seen sliding down the mountain behind them. A video of yesterday's avalanche in Tuckerman's Ravine captured by the Wildcat cam. In the top left corner, the snowboarder can be seen beginning to drop into the bowl. After the camera zooms, the snowboarder can be seen outrunning the avalanche. No one involved was injured. — Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) (@MWObs) March 12, 2025 Mount Washington avalanche warning The Mount Washington Observatory described the avalanche as a "small slide." The Mount Washington Avalanche Center as of Wednesday is still issuing an avalanche warning in New Hampshire's Presidential mountain range. Wednesday's warning level is at 1 or "low." Avalanche warnings are issued on a 1-5 scale of low, moderate, considerate, high and extreme. The center uses the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale. The description of low is "Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features." Last week, winds topped 100 mph on the mountain, blowing workers across the top of New England's highest peak. Avalanches on Mount Washington In 2023, a skier suffered life-threatening injuries after he was trapped in an avalanche on "Airplane Gully." In December, a large avalanche was captured on camera on Mount Washington. The wall of ice, which came racing down on Christmas Eve, happened in the Hillman's Highway area. Experts said the avalanche happened due to several inches of new snow combined with several hours of significant wind. The Mount Washington Observatory's website says that there have been 17 deaths from avalanche incidents on the mountain in recorded history.
CBS News
10-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Video shows crews coping with 100+ mph wind gusts at summit of Mount Washington
What's it like trying to do your job when you work at the home of the "world's worst weather"? Recent video captured winds of over 100 mph blowing workers across the top of Mount Washington, New England's highest peak. "In the midst of making sure instruments were working well, the summit crew took some time to show us (safely) what 100mph winds looked like... and had some fun doing it," the Mount Washington Observatory posted to social media on Friday. In the midst of making sure instruments were working well, the summit crew took some time to show us (safely) what 100mph winds looked like... and had some fun doing it. Tune in tonight at 5pm for the weekend's Higher Summits Forecast on Facebook Live. — Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) (@MWObs) March 7, 2025 The video showed wind-blown employees sliding across the very top of the 6,288-foot New Hampshire mountain. The crew can then be seen struggling to even crawl in the face of triple-digit wind gusts. Extreme wind gusts on Mount Washington The peak wind gust recorded on Friday was 138 mph. Another high wind gust of 130 mph was reported on Saturday, along with a wind chill of 45 degrees below zero. In mid-February, the observatory recorded a wind gust of 161 mph, the strongest gust seen on the summit since 2019, as winter hikers were warned that extreme winds could cause large and destructive avalanches. The summit sees hurricane-force wind gusts more than 110 days of the year on average. The most powerful wind gust ever recorded by the Mount Washington Observatory was measured at 231 mph on April 21, 1934. It still holds the record for fastest wind speed ever observed by a staffed weather station. This week's highest summits forecast calls for relatively calmer conditions, with gusts expected to peak at about 80 mph on Tuesday.
