Why researchers are drawn to Mt. Washington, 'home of the world’s worst weather'

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New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Observatory is well-known to weather buffs. Touted as "home of the world’s worst weather," the highest peak in the Northeast doubles as a tourist attraction and a research facility. And much of that research informs the weather reports you hear each day.

I wanted to learn more about what makes the Observatory such a unique place for weather and climate research, and about the people who choose to do their work there. So I took a drive with Charlie Buterbaugh, director of external affairs of the Mount Washington Observatory, up the famous Auto Road to the summit on what turned out to be a mild fall day. With temperatures just above freezing and calm winds, the view from the summit reached more tha