VOA常速英语2007年-Mt. Washington Observatory Goes to Weather Extr

By Paul Sisco
07 December 2007
 

The Mount Washington observatory¹ in (the northeastern U.S. state of) New Hampshire is a non-profit, scientific and educational institution with a mission to advance understanding of the Earth's climate systems. It also has some of the most extreme weather on the planet. VOA's Paul Sisco has more.

The strongest winds ever recorded, were recorded right here, at the Mt. Washington Weather station in New Hampshire. On 12 April 1934, the station measured a wind gust² of more than 371 kilometers per hour.

The Mount Washington weather station was the first regular, meteorological observations in the world. It continues to collect climate data, and weather information daily.

Three out of every four days a year Mount Washington is hidden in clouds or covered with fog, with hurricane force winds sometimes blowing. Scientists and visitors pass through three distinct ecosystems³ on the ride to the summit, 1,923 meters above sea level.

A team of scientists is stationed here. Stacey Kawecki, 23, is one of the scientists. She points out a phenomenon called "rime⁵ ice."  There is a lot of it here. Rim⁴ ice forms on objects when fog freezes.

The observers work one week on the summit then one week off. Every hour their readings go to the U.S. National Weather Service. It uses the data to make nationwide forecasts.

When not taking readings or keeping instruments working, the Mount Washington scientists conduct research experiments at the station.

Visitors are welcome to help out and for a fee, can spend a week living at the station. On this visit, after a typically frigid⁶ night, the weather broke and the occupants awoke to a less typical, clear and beautiful sunrise.

1 observatory   

n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台

参考例句：

• Guy's house was close to the observatory.盖伊的房子离天文台很近。
• Officials from Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day.格林威治天文台的职员们每天对大钟检查两次。

2 gust   

n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发

参考例句：

• A gust of wind blew the front door shut.一阵大风吹来，把前门关上了。
• A gust of happiness swept through her.一股幸福的暖流流遍她的全身。

3 ecosystems   

n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句

4 rim   

n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界

参考例句：

• The water was even with the rim of the basin.盆里的水与盆边平齐了。
• She looked at him over the rim of her glass.她的目光越过玻璃杯的边沿看着他。

5 rime   

n.白霜；v.使蒙霜

参考例句：

• The field was covered with rime in the early morning.清晨地里覆盖着一层白霜。
• Coleridge contributed the famous Rime of the Ancient Mariner.柯勒律治贡献了著名的《老水手之歌》。

6 frigid   

adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的

参考例句：

• The water was too frigid to allow him to remain submerged for long.水冰冷彻骨，他在下面呆不了太长时间。
• She returned his smile with a frigid glance.对他的微笑她报以冷冷的一瞥。