Winter Weather Is Rocking New England's Tallest Peak

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated May 22, 2025 4:54 PM ET

It might be spring, but on Mount Washington, New England’s highest peak, wintry weather has returned.

Located in New Hampshire, Mount Washington stands tall at 6,288 feet and is no stranger to intense meteorological conditions like gusty winds and rime ice. Due to its propensity for frigid storms, Mount Washington is, fittingly, often referred to as the home of the “world’s worst weather.”

But given the time of year, the Mount Washington Observatory’s recent social media update could, to those who aren’t clued into the wild mood swings associated with mountain weather, feel a bit unusual.

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“Good morning from a wintry summit!” the update, which was published Thursday, May 22, 2025, morning, read, “Observers woke up this morning to a rime-covered observation deck.”

The post shared a series of photos that, if you didn’t know any better, could’ve depicted a far-flung Antarctic outpost. But no. This is the Presidential Range in May.

More chilly weather could be on the way. Thursday night, three to five inches of snow could fall, accompanied by winds gusting as high as 85 miles per hour, according to the Mount Washington Observatory’s forecast.

Additional snowfall is forecasted on Friday, and temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s, with the wind chill reaching slightly below freezing.

The icy temperatures, however, won’t be setting any new Mount Washington benchmarks. “Cold? Yes. Record-setting for the summit? Nope, not even close, as the record lows for Thursday and Friday are 11°F,” wrote staff meteorologist Ryan Knapp in the forecast.

Still, he advised, “Just because it is not record-setting doesn’t mean it will be warm, especially for this late in May,” noting that hikers should prepare adequately and be cautious of the winter conditions. Hypothermia is a risk.

Mount Washington could total six inches of snow from the storm, according to Knapps' forecast.

Even as summer arrives, the possibility of snow on Mount Washington will linger. The Observatory has recorded snowfall at its peak every month of the year, but from a statistical standpoint, the season’s last flakes usually fall in June.