It is also used by the local media in their weather programs as Mount Washington's conditions are of immense interest to a large local and national audience. While most automated modern weather equipment consists of superior quality materials, not all of it is designed to withstand and operate in the harsh conditions found on Mount Washington. In many cases, the older equipment is more robust and performs more accurately under severe conditions. The staff remains essential in this arctic climate, constantly deicing equipment in winter and performing general instrument maintenance. The Observatory does operate many newer systems as well, often linked to computers.
Manual safeguards are in place to prevent damage from potential lightning strikes.
Typically the Auto Road and Cog Railway open to passengers in mid May and remain open until the middle or end of October. Weather conditions, however, can alter these times. If seasonal snowfall has been heavy it may take longer to clear the tracks and the Road sufficiently in the spring. A severe storm can also close operations prematurely, if the safety of a trip to the summit is in question. It is always a good idea to call ahead if planning a trip to the summit, to be aware of the latest mountain conditions.