Meteorologists spot rare ‘snow wave’ atop Mount Washington

Meteorologists atop the highest peak in the Northeast, known for some of the world’s worst weather, took advantage of recent snowy conditions to engage in an unusual activity: subarctic surfing.

After several days of frigid temperatures and high winds, officials at the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire said there were unique ice formations everywhere on the summit.

Rime ice forms when liquid water droplets from fog collect on objects during sub-zero temperatures.

“The snow wave at the top of our tower has not formed in about two years, so it is rare for it to be as large as seen in these photos,” the nonprofit organization said on social media.

Weather observers Charlie Peachy, Alex Branton and Alexis George demonstrate the unique challenges and rewards of their winter work on the 6,286-foot snow-capped peak.

Shrouded in fog two-thirds of the year and cool with an average temperature of 27 degrees, Mount Washington provides prime conditions for rime snow, according to the observatory. This snow event can sometimes reach up to 9 inches per hour.

The observatory warned, “The mountain’s weather is subject to rapid change and extreme cold, so never dress like the observers in these photos while on the summit in winter.”

The Mount Washington Observatory is a lighthouse for extreme weather data. This is where a wind speed of 231 mph was measured in 1934, setting the record for the highest wind speed ever recorded in the US.

Weather observers face harsh conditions every day, manually collecting data every hour to support the National Weather Service’s forecasts. Despite the challenges of icy winds, they maintain a 24/7 presence, often relying on snowcat transportation during the harsh winter months.