Mount Washington sees record low temperature, could shatter 2nd ...

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. (WCAX) - Mount Washington set a new record-low temperature on Friday, and they’re getting close to setting a new all-time record.

The all-time record on the summit is 47 degrees below zero.

Scientists at the observatory there say they could get under that number around midnight.

Wind gusts at the summit of Mount Washington can reach 100 mph.

One of the observers there, Francis Tarasiewicz, explained how they bundle up to go outside and take their readings every hour.

“We got a nice, thick, I call it the sleeping bag. So this jacket keeps me nice and warm but I’ve got three other layers as well, and I really prefer wearing mittens and inner gloves, as well as keeping my fingers together, keep it nice and warm as I’m taking those observations,” Tarasiewicz said.

Watch the video to see our Jess Langlois’ full conversation with Francis Tarasiewicz.

To give you a sense of how cold it is, the windchill on the top of Mount Washington was 102 below zero Friday evening.

MOUNT WASHINGTON RESEARCHERS WORK DURING DEEP FREEZE

The scientists at the observatory keep working no matter the weather.

Teams of three observers switch every week, living on the top of the mountain and taking observations every hour, day and night.

That’s true on the coldest of days, like Friday when winds are whipping and temperatures are below zero. Tarasiewicz calls it a once-a-generation cold weather event. That has them preparing differently.

“The key word is layers and we add quite a few more layers to our typical outfit. What I’m wearing is a basic undershirt and a flannel underneath, and on top of that, we’ll be wearing yet another undershirt and a shell. And so, really just adding extra layers and also keeping in touch with each other to make sure no one goes outside alone,” said Tarasiewicz.

Tarasiewicz said Nimbus the cat who lives up on Mount Washington with the team seems to like watching the wind and is snuggled inside cozy and warm.

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