Sunrise surprise of Mt. Washington
Premium viewing privilege now online
For generations, extreme conditions on Mount Washington, known as the home of the world's worst weather, have fascinated New Englanders.
Now, armchair storm-chasers willing to pay for the privilege can track more of the wild weather on the New Hampshire peak than ever . To help raise money for the non profit Mount Washington Observatory, its leaders have added new content to their website for paying members, including movies of the daily sunrise and mini documentaries.
"We know people have a passion for Mount Washington, and this was a great carrot to dangle in front of them," said Scot Henley , the observatory's director.
The promise of the new online features in the six weeks leading up to their debut in February helped the observatory recruit 250 new members. Memberships are $45 for individuals.
The highest point in New England at 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the site of the highest surface wind speed ever recorded, 231 miles per hour.
Henley said online mountain-watchers -- who include climbers, scientists, and "weather geeks " -- can now observe conditions captured by five cameras, including one that zooms close enough to Tuckerman Ravine to spot skiers.
Bill Ozanne , a former observatory intern who runs a computer business in Connecticut, said he checks the webcams "five times a day, conservatively."
"I love just seeing what the weather is doing," he wrote in an e-mail.
JENNA RUSSELL 