Join us on the summit of Mount Washington this October 15, 2024 for our Founding Day. We’ll have free tours and an Open House at our world famous mountaintop weather station.
On October 15, 1932, Bob Monahan, Sal Pagliuca, Alex MacKenzie, and Joe Dodge set up a permanent presence on the summit. Using funds obtained from a research grant and a few private donors, the Mount Washington Observatory was formally established, with a mission of advancing the understanding of weather, climate, and the mountain itself.
Just two years later, on April 12, 1934, the Observatory captured what was then the fastest surface wind speed ever observed by man, at 231 mph. This thrust Mount Washington into the spotlight and highlighted the value in having a mountaintop weather station.
Due to their steadfast dedication and the Observatory staff that followed, this mountaintop weather station remains a unique operation staffed 365 days a year and proudly maintains one of the longest running climate records in North America. Now 89 years rich in history we continue to gather, disseminate and analyze daily weather data; to contribute to the critical, long-term weather and climate record essential to scientific understanding of weather and climate in a unique, extreme environment. Here’s to approaching our 92th anniversary, and many more anniversary’s to come!
