About the Observatory
The Mount Washington Observatory is a non-profit organization providing environmental observation and education while supporting scientific research.
Since its establishment in 1932, the observatory has contributed to landmark research efforts in short-wave radio propagation, ice physics, the constitution of clouds, and the composition of the atmosphere. Current research projects address summit weather and climate, regional air quality, and global tropospheric chemistry.
The observatory staff provide educational programs to advance public knowledge of the unique meteorology, the environment, and the history of the Mt. Washington region. Their interactive museum, The Weather Discovery Center, is open daily during summer months and three days each week during Nov-April.
The Mount Washington Observatory
The primary mission of the Mount Washington Observatory is to maintain a permanently staffed observing station atop Mount Washington. While meeting that mission, staff at the observatory accomplish a whole lot more. They offer their public an up-close and personal understanding of the unique meteorology, the environment, and history of the Mt. Washington region.
“Home of the World's Worst Weather,” the Sherman Adams Building at the summit of Mount Washington is the most widely photographed of the observatory's facilities. The observatory also maintains a Mount Washington museum at the summit and an interactive museum, the Weather Discovery Center, located on Main street in the village of North Conway, NH.
At the Discovery Center you can follow along as fifth graders figure out how to make a cloud in a bottle, or how to make their own sling psychrometer. Learn what causes thunderstorms. Journey with kayakers in Boise, Idaho, as they experience a “big water blowout”.
Monitor the weather conditions on Mount Washington, check out a photo gallery, learn facts about "Weather in the Whites" and more at www.mountwashington.org
Mount Washington Facts:
Elevation: 6,288 feet
Latitude: 44° 16' N
Longitude: 71° 18' W
Highest wind (04/12/1934): 231 MPH
Average yearly wind velocity: 35.3 MPH
Lowest temp. (01/1934): -47°F
Highest temp. (08/1975, 06/2003): 72°F/
Average temp. for the year: 26.5°F
Average annual snowfall: 256 inches
Max. snowfall in a season (1968-69): 566.4”
Max. snowfall in a year (1969) 495.2”
Winds exceed 75MPH approx. 104 days/yr
Summit n the clouds approx. 60% of time
Fog reported for over 300 days/yr