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The Mount Washington Observatory summit weather station coated in a thick layer of rime ice, which forms when fog freezes. With an average annual temperature of just 27 degrees and cloud cover two-thirds of the time, Mount Washington has prolific rime icing much of the year. Mount Washington Observatory image.

Mount Washington museum getting extreme makeover

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

The Mount Washington Observatory summit weather station coated in a thick layer of rime ice, which forms when fog freezes. With an average annual temperature of just 27 degrees and cloud cover two-thirds of the time, Mount Washington has prolific rime icing much of the year. Mount Washington Observatory image.
The Mount Washington Observatory summit weather station coated in a thick layer of rime ice, which forms when fog freezes. With an average annual temperature of just 27 degrees and cloud cover two-thirds of the time, Mount Washington has prolific rime icing much of the year. Mount Washington Observatory image.
NORTH CONWAY, N.H. (AP) – The Mount Washington Observatory plans to show its renovated museum on the New Hampshire mountaintop in June.

Extreme Mount Washington will show visitors what winter’s like at the mountain. Through hands-on, high-tech exhibits, the museum will present a sampling of the “World’s Worst Weather.”

Designed by Jeff Kennedy Associates of Somerville, Mass., the new museum will feature a user-controlled flat-panel display showing “clear day” views from the summit in all seasons; an interactive Snowcat simulator; and a recreation of the 1930s observatory, including the anemometer used to record the famous 231 mph wind.

Exhibit components are being constructed this winter, and will be transported to the summit for installation as soon as the Mount Washington Auto Road opens this spring.

“The new educational experience will share the science and excitement of this incredible place to guests of all ages in a modern, interactive format,” observatory executive director Scot Henley said. “It will be a showpiece for Mount Washington Observatory, Mt. Washington State Park, and the greater White Mountains region.”

Nearly $1 million has been raised for the project through more than 400 foundations, corporations, and individual Mount Washington Observatory members, donors and fans from across the country.

Copyright 2014 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

AP-WF-01-11-14 1425GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

The Mount Washington Observatory summit weather station coated in a thick layer of rime ice, which forms when fog freezes. With an average annual temperature of just 27 degrees and cloud cover two-thirds of the time, Mount Washington has prolific rime icing much of the year. Mount Washington Observatory image.
The Mount Washington Observatory summit weather station coated in a thick layer of rime ice, which forms when fog freezes. With an average annual temperature of just 27 degrees and cloud cover two-thirds of the time, Mount Washington has prolific rime icing much of the year. Mount Washington Observatory image.
Mount Washington Observatory uses a 2-ton snowcat to access the peak in winter. The new museum will feature a snowcat simulator that invites summer visitors to 'pilot' the vehicle up the mountain. Each of these photos portrays the winter experience, which Extreme Mount Washington will convey to summer visitors. Mount Washington Observatory image.
Mount Washington Observatory uses a 2-ton snowcat to access the peak in winter. The new museum will feature a snowcat simulator that invites summer visitors to ‘pilot’ the vehicle up the mountain. Each of these photos portrays the winter experience, which Extreme Mount Washington will convey to summer visitors. Mount Washington Observatory image.
A Mount Washington Observatory scientist knocks ice off the instrument tower. The observatory station could not exist without staff, as the fragile instruments would be quickly destroyed without people to maintain them in the extreme conditions. Mount Washington Observatory image.
A Mount Washington Observatory scientist knocks ice off the instrument tower. The observatory station could not exist without staff, as the fragile instruments would be quickly destroyed without people to maintain them in the extreme conditions. Mount Washington Observatory image.
Summit visitors lean into the wind on the observation deck. The summit of Mount Washington experiences hurricane force winds about every other day on average during the winter, and winds at or about 100 miles per hour about every fourth day on average in the winter. Mount Washington Observatory image.
Summit visitors lean into the wind on the observation deck. The summit of Mount Washington experiences hurricane force winds about every other day on average during the winter, and winds at or about 100 miles per hour about every fourth day on average in the winter. Mount Washington Observatory image.