Observers must always be on their guard to avoid falling and flying missiles. We have a very good safety record, and can only maintain that by being well-prepared and relatively conservative in our activities. Since, in extreme storm conditions, outside help may be days away, we always need to exercise special precautions for safety. Twelve hour shifts consume much of an observer's day, or night. A small library houses great reading material, and phone service allows for calls to family and friends.
Observers go outside every hour to make numerous weather observations.
Every three hours additional information, including barometric pressure and cloud types, is also recorded. Every six hours, precipitation amounts are determined and the maximum and minimum temperatures during that period are recorded. The Observatory is involved in numerous scientific research projects . Observers monitor and record current weather conditions at the summit, but do not perform actual forecasting. The weather information that is sent on an hourly basis to the National Weather Service is used in local and national forecasting models.