Scientists, Grandfather Mountain work on accurate wind gauging

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. --Questions about a reported gust of at least 200 mph atop Grandfather Mountain have led to a cooperative effort between weather experts and officials there to measure fierce winds at the peak.

When a wind gauge topped out at 200 mph sometime overnight on Jan. 24-25 near the summit of Grandfather Mountain, it made news across the country. It was the highest recorded wind in North Carolina, and approached a legendary world record of 231 mph, set in 1934 at Mount Washington, N.H.

But though scientists didn't question that the measurement was made in good faith, they said that it couldn't be compared with measurements taken at other weather stations that meet guidelines of the National Weather Service or the World Meteorological Organization.

The anemometer -- a wind gauge with cups attached to short arms connected to a spinning vertical shaft -- is on top of the visitor's center at Grandfather, and experts say that could affect the reading. The wind slams into the side of the building, then speeds up as it whips across the roof.

When Baker Perry, an instructor at Appalachian State University, heard the news about the record-setting wind, he called Grandfather Mountain president Crae Morton to talk about it. Perry said that there was a lot of good will on both sides as they figured out how new equipment could help them compare "apples to apples" in measuring winds.

Morton said he was happy to get the help and met in March with what he calls an "all-star cast" for a weather summit at Grandfather Mountain. The group included Perry and fellow ASU professors Pete Soule and Ray Russell; National Weather Service experts from the Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., center, including Larry Gabric, the meteorologist in charge of the center; and Ryan Boyles, an associate state climatologist. It also included Grant Goodge, well known in mountain-weather circles, who recently retired but is still under contract with the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville.

"When that much scientific brainpower is telling you you may have a problem, there's no other choice but to pay attention," Morton said. "Thankfully, weather is a very measurable phenomenon, and a few steps can set things right."

One recommendation they made is that the anemometer should be mounted on a tower 30 or so feet high. That allows the wind gauge to be free of air disturbances from buildings or other objects and to get a true wind reading.

The group picked three possible sites and over the next month or so will put up a test tower at them to see how the view will be affected. The sites are: at the end of Linville Peak, the area on the far side of the Mile-High Swinging Bridge; across the parking lot at the visitor's center; and affixed to one of the support towers of the Swinging Bridge.

"When you're that high above the tree line, there's a potential it could fracture the view," Morton said. "We have to be careful for our visitors, but also for people who look up and enjoy it. The bridge is already visible and quite charming. The anemometer tower might not be."

They also have to be careful not to disturb areas of endangered plant species that grow on the rocky crags. Spreading Avens, Heller's Blazing Star and Blue Ridge Goldenrod all grow on Grandfather and are so rare there are five or fewer places in the world where the plants are known to grow.

"We want to be really cautious when we start messing with their habitat," said Jesse Pope, Grandfather Mountain's naturalist. "If we're careful to avoid those areas, we'll be fine as far as placement (of the tower)."

ASU has a tower that it has agreed to lend for the testing. Grandfather Mountain staff will continue to monitor the sites for rare plants that might not be noticeable until later in the spring or summer.

Experts at Mount Washington have given advice on equipment. Measuring such high winds can be tricky, especially in the winter when a wind gauge can freeze if it's not heated or if someone doesn't knock the ice off it. Morton said he hopes to have the new anemometer up by the fall.

Scrubby trees with limbs that grow only in one direction attest to the high winds near the top of Grandfather.

Morton and the scientists say that they are looking forward to seeing the new readings. The equipment will provide a way to see how Grandfather compares with the windiest places in the world.

"We have high winds," Morton said. "When we get these high winds, they'll be official."

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Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com

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Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com