CONCORD, N.H. — Even the top of Mount Washington can’t avoid the heat wave that’s engulfing the region.
While the temperatures there seem comfortable compared to the near-100 degrees at lower elevations, at the summit it can still break a nearly 20-year-old heat record.
On Wednesday, the temperature on Mount Washington rose to a record-breaking 70 degrees, the hottest recorded temperature on June 19 of any year.
The previous record of 67 degrees was set on that day in 1995.
Thursday was also a record-breaking day, with the temperature rising to 65 degrees in the afternoon, the hottest June 20 of any year previously recorded.
The all-time station record for heat is 72 degrees, first established in 1975 and matched in 2003. And on Wednesday, weather observer and education specialist Francis Tarasiewicz said Thursday would be the day to watch if the summit temperature is going to rival that record.
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A Mount Washington weather report for Thursday noted temperatures had already risen to 61 degrees in the morning. By 3 p.m., it had broken the previous record of 64 degrees, which had been set in 2016 and matched in 2020.
That’s a big jump from the summit’s average daily temperature of 47 degrees, according to the weather report.
Alexandra Branton, a weather observer and education specialist, said a cloud hanging over the summit coupled with winds ranging from 30 to 40 miles per hour have been moderating the heat on Mount Washington and could make it less likely for the summit temperatures to surpass the 72-degree all-time record.
“If the sun comes out and we miraculously clear the fog and the winds slow up, it’s still possible, but looking less and less likely as the day goes on,” she said.
Typically, the hottest time of the day happens between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday’s high was recorded at 2 p.m., according to Branton.
Even though it’s more temperate at the peak of Mount Washington, compared to lower elevations, Branton said the temperature still poses a risk to hikers who are expecting to cool off when they reach higher elevations.
She said heat exhaustion and dehydration are two risks for people hiking outside.
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“In addition to heat we also have moderate air quality because all of pollutants are getting contained within system,” she said.
That can pose an especial risk to people in sensitive groups, including those with asthma, young children and people who are older or elderly.
Branton said that with climate change, heat waves are expected to become even hotter.
“Usually we have the problem of people getting too cold,” she said, adding that people expect it to be cooler at a higher altitude. “However, it’s just really hot at both elevations.”
Amanda Gokee can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @amanda_gokee.