Mount Washington rises from the surrounding landscape | Click photo for larger view

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft (1,917 m). It is famous for its dangerously erratic weather, holding the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth’s surface, at 231 mph (372 km/h) on the afternoon of April 12, 1934. It was known as Agiocochook, or “home of the Great Spirit”, before European settlers arrived.

Photo was taken during a recent trip. The 6,288 foot peak was enshrouded in clouds when we arrived at the top. The weather at the observatory was much different than that in the valley from where the photo was taken. At the peak, the winds were sustained at 40 m.p.h. with gust up to 60 m.p.h. The temperature was 39° F. On the valley floor, the skies were mostly clear with light winds and a temperature of 70° F.

In a future post, I will have many more photos and a story of our trip to the summit. In the mean time, here is a link to the Mount Washington Observatory.

Skywatch Friday

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