Mount Washington Observatory founders (from left) Alex McKenzie,, Bob Monahan, Joe Dodge and Sal Pagliuca are seen in the 1930s. McKenzie and Pagliuca were on the summit on April 12, 1934, when the record wind of 231 mph was recorded. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Mount Washington Observatory founders (from left) Alex McKenzie,, Bob Monahan, Joe Dodge and Sal Pagliuca are seen in the 1930s. McKenzie and Pagliuca were on the summit on April 12, 1934, when the record wind of 231 mph was recorded. (COURTESY PHOTO)
CONWAY — The Mount Washington Observatory is preparing to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Big Wind Day — the day in 1934 when a world record gust of 231 miles per hour was measured by Mount Washington Observatory’s first weather team of Alex McKenzie, Sal Pagliuca and Wendell Stephenson.
That happened on April 12, 1934, only two years after the Mount Washington Observatory was founded, and the record stood for more than 60 years until Tropical Cyclone Olivia brought sustained winds of 140 mph and a gust of 253 mph to Barrow Island, Australia, on April 10, 1996.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.