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We can never have enough of nature. We must be refreshed by the sight of inexhaustible vigor, vast and titanic features, the sea-coast with its wrecks, the wilderness with its living and its decaying trees, the thunder-cloud, and the rain.
Henry David Thoreau |
For the most up-to-date weather information on the White Mountains, including reports from the Summit of Mt. Washington, visit the Mt. Washington Observatory website. Rain, snow and fog are possible at any time of the year. Remember that weather in the mountains is generally colder and more severe than in the valleys. Always check the forecast before you start your hike. If you plan to hike Mt. Washington, check with either the Appalachian Mountain Club's Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or the Mt. Washington Observatory for conditions on the mountain. LIGHTNING: Pay attention to weather forecasts and avoid being caught on exposed ridges or above treeline during electrical storms. Know an escape route in case fast-moving storms catch you off-guard. If a storm hits, spread your group out and keep track of each other so if one person is hit, others can help. If you don't have time to get to a lower elevation, squat down to reduce your height and minimize your contact with the earth. Take off your pack if it has a metal frame. If you have a foam pad, put it under you. WATER CROSSINGS: In spring and after heavy rains, streams can change from trickles to torrents, making crossings difficult. If you ford a stream, be extremely careful. Use common sense and, if in doubt, don't cross. |
Weather in the White Mountains can be harsh and changeable.
