If your stay at the Inn in Jackson includes a Wednesday evening this summer, you can take advantage of the free Science in the Mountains programs offered by the Mount Washington Observatory. The Observatory has monitored the ‘world’s worst weather’ at the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast ~ from a 231 mph wind gust to bitter cold, rime ice, and heavy snow ~ since 1932. Scientists, educators, students, and volunteers alike all live and work on the summit throughout the year.
Science in the Mountains programs are presented at 7 pm Wednesdays at the Weather Discovery Center in North Conway, NH. Here are some of the topics for this series:
- July 30, 2014 ~ Forecasting Wind Gusts at Mount Washington presented by Tom Padham, staff meteorologist.
- August 6, 2014 ~ Exploring Seasonal Variability of Mount Washington’s Temperature Inversions, presented by Kaitlyn O’Brien, staff observer.
- August 13, 2014 ~ Severe Weather in the White Mountains.
- August 20, 2014 ~ Fall Migration in the White Mountains.
Even if your travel plans don’t include a lecture, be sure to visit the Weather Discovery Center sometime during your White Mountain vacation. This free science museum has exhibits about both extreme Mount Washington weather and weather fundamentals. Live from the Rockpile video conference presentations twice a day by summit staff provide a window onto everyday life at the summit. If Mt. Washington’s summit is in the clouds (and even if it isn’t!), include a visit to the Weather Discovery Center in North Conway as part of your New Hampshire vacation.
