Do you know this mountain, with winds exceeding 186 mph? 🏔️

Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States, is renowned for its extreme weather conditions. This summit experiences winds exceeding hurricane force more than 100 days a year.


Located at an altitude of 6,288 feet (1,917 meters), Mount Washington is directly exposed to westerly winds that travel hundreds of miles without obstruction. The mountains to the west form a 75-mile (120 km) wide funnel, channeling and accelerating these winds toward the summit.

Mount Washington is also situated at the confluence of three major storm tracks. In winter, storms hit the summit on average every three days, bringing strong winds and heavy precipitation. In 1969, a record 51 inches (1.3 meters) of snow fell in 24 hours.

Due to its unique position, Mount Washington is a contender for the world record for wind speed. On April 12, 1934, a gust of 231 mph (372 km/h) was recorded there, the second-fastest naturally measured wind speed ever.

The strong winds can tear off massive chunks of ice from the summit, posing a serious risk to hikers. The observatory located there is equipped with bulletproof windows to protect against these ice projectiles.


In winter, climbers on Mount Washington face risks of avalanches, hypothermia, and frostbite. The average temperatures there are around 27°F (-2.7°C).

Several rescue teams monitor Mount Washington, regularly saving hikers who are lost or caught off guard by sudden weather changes. These extreme conditions make Mount Washington a unique location for studying violent meteorological phenomena.