Snowfall blankets Mount Washington summit
As New England faced a late May nor’easter on Thursday, dramatic weather contrasts swept the region. While southern parts of the region experienced windswept rain, northern elevations told a wintry story.
At the summit of Mount Washington, in New Hampshire, researchers at the Mount Washington Observatory measured a total of 4.1 inches (10.4 cm) of new snow by Friday morning. In addition to the accumulation, images from the summit revealed rime ice and glazing on nearby surfaces, including a New Hampshire State Parks vehicle. This coating resulted from freezing rain and fog interacting with sub-freezing air at elevation.
Forecasters from the observatory anticipate continued snowfall through Friday, with an additional 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) expected. There’s also concern about a quarter-inch (0.6 cm) of ice accumulation due to ongoing freezing rain. Temperatures are projected to remain in the upper 20s Fahrenheit (around -2 to -3 °C), and winds—initially gusting between 25 and 40 mph—are expected to weaken later in the day, tapering down to 10 to 25 mph.
Killington Peak: Vermont’s taste of winter in May
Further west in Vermont, Killington Peak also reported snowfall, though lighter and less defined. According to Brooke Geery, a marketing specialist at Killington Resort, there was a dusting to a few inches of fresh snow. Without an official total, conditions were described as “pretty white up top.” Still, the light accumulation was not enough to support skiing, though a few adventurous hikers were spotted navigating the snow-covered terrain.
Snow showers were predicted to persist through Friday, with highs hovering in the low 30s Fahrenheit (around -1 to 1 °C). Winds were calmer than on Mount Washington, blowing at 10 to 15 mph.
Wider impacts across Massachusetts
The nor’easter didn’t stop with snow. In Massachusetts, especially across Martha’s Vineyard, the storm brought heavy rainfall, with West Tisbury recording nearly 6 inches (15.2 cm). Other locations reported 1 to 2+ inches (2.5 to 5+ cm) of precipitation, causing localized flooding, especially in Bristol and Plymouth counties.
The event added an unexpected wintry twist to late May, especially for those in New England’s higher terrain. As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the chilly and damp conditions are expected to give way to temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit (21–26 °C).
