The North Atlantic Oscillation’s Impact on Mount Washington Summit Weather

Simon Wachholz
Mount Washington Observatory, North Conway, NH

Overview Results Discussion

Mount Washington experiences frequent extreme weather and is The most significant correlation between Mount Washington
at the epicenter of a thriving outdoor economy. Finding a weather and NAO values occur during the winter months.
correlation between the strength of the North Atlantic Oscillation However, in all seasons the correlation was weak, as determined
(NAO) and Mount Washington summit weather could provide by the Pearson correlation coefficients. Spring features the
insights into long range forecasting. weakest temperature correlation and a positive precipitation
correlation instead of a negative precipitation correlation
The NAO is a teleconnection
observed in the other seasons.
that measures sea level A B
pressure anomalies between Pearson Correlation Coefficients
Figure 1. a) A positive trend exists between
the Icelandic Low pressure and Spring Summer Fall Winter
temperature and NAO values during the Winter.
the Azores High pressure. The Temperature 0.02 0.17 0.18 0.30
Temperature variability and NAO phase are compared
NAO consists of a negative and Precipitation 0.14 -0.23 -0.14 -0.23
in b. Negative NAO values are associated with lower
positive phase and can NAO Positive Phase NAO Negative Phase
Image Source: UK Met Office temperatures while positive NAO values are
influence upstream weather.
associated with higher temperatures. The number
above each bar indicates how many seasons featured Conclusion
the given NAO phase. Overall, the data supports the general theory regarding the NAO
Methods A B
phases’ effect on upstream weather. Positive NAO values often
feature warmer and drier conditions than average on Mount
Monthly NAO data was obtained from the Climate Prediction Washington, while negative NAO values feature cooler and
Center from March 1950 through February 2018. This date wetter conditions on the summit. Because the NAO and
range was chosen in order to encompass complete corresponding weather patterns change more frequently than on
meteorological seasons. Daily temperature, precipitation, and the timescales analyzed in this project, future work on monthly
snowfall data were obtained for Mount Washington for these patterns is still necessary.
same dates.
References
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Climate

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Notaro, M., W. Wang, and W. Gong, 2006: Model and Observational Analysis of the Northeast U.S. Regional Climate and Its

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https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR3234.1

NAO values. values are associated with lower precipitation totals. Roller, C.D., J. Qian, L. Agel, M. Barlow, and V. Moron, 2016: Winter Weather Regimes in the Northeast United States. J. Climate,
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