Mount Washington, known for its extreme weather conditions, experienced an unexpected rain-on-snow event in December 2023. This caused a flood of unprecedented severity, occurring only once every 800 years in the Mount Washington Valley. Charlie Peachey, a weather observer at the Mount Washington Observatory, recognized the significance of this event and its potential to serve as an example of the devastation caused by rain-on-snow events.
Peachey has been studying these weather phenomena for the past few years and aims to determine if they have increased in recent history and if their seasonality is changing. This research could help predict future flooding and allow residents of the Mount Washington Valley time to prepare.
The Mount Washington Observatory’s unique weather data set, collected by staff members year-round, is of high quality due to consistent human intervention and real-time monitoring. Peachey used data from 1980 to 2020 to create two distinct climatologies, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of rain-on-snow events and the investigation of trends and patterns.
This research has the potential to provide valuable insights into the impact of rain-on-snow events and aid in preparing for future extreme weather events. The Mount Washington Observatory’s data and Peachey’s research are crucial in understanding and predicting the effects of these events, which can have significant consequences for the Mount Washington Valley and its residents.