Standing in the Clouds: Mount Washington's Extreme Weather
Standing on top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire feels like stepping into a giant outdoor freezer. Rising 6,288 feet into the sky, it is the tallest peak in the northeastern United States. Visitors can reach the summit by driving up a winding auto road, riding a historic gear-driven train, or hiking up steep trails. However, no matter how people arrive, they must prepare for some of the most intense weather conditions on the planet.
Why is the weather on Mount Washington so unusually wild? The mountain sits right at the meeting point of three major storm tracks in North America. As strong winds blow across the land, surrounding mountains act like a giant funnel. This squeezing effect speeds up the wind right as it reaches Mount Washington's peak. In 1934, researchers recorded a wind gust of 231 miles per hour at the summit! For decades, that stood as the fastest wind speed ever measured by humans on Earth. Even during the summer months, freezing temperatures, dense fog, and ice storms can appear with very little warning.
- summit:
- The highest point of a mountain.
- intense:
- Very strong, extreme, or severe.
- funnel:
- A channel or shape that guides and squeezes something into a narrower space.
- meteorologists:
- Scientists who study weather and the atmosphere.
- atmosphere:
- The layer of gases surrounding Earth.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How high is Mount Washington's peak?
- 2What are the three ways visitors can reach the summit of Mount Washington?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Standing in the Clouds: Mount Washington's Extreme Weather” is a explanatory article reading passage about Mount Washington Weather Station, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (318 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.