Highest recorded straight line wind speed in the U.S. 231 mph. Recorded on Mt. Washington. The place is no joke. It may not seem like it to someone used to western elevations but the high humidity also plays a role in severity.
Yes, I just replied to someone else that Mr K (not the one on this forum), who is a climbing enthusiast, said to me that it’s really well-known that it can be 80 degrees in July and there will be a terrible winter storm on Mt Washington. Too bad the guy didn’t realize that. I went hiking with just a light jacket once and only a really small bottle of water around the Canon City, Colorado area and me and my companion - we weren’t exactly lost, but we climbed down a rather steep gorge and I was afraid to try to climb back up, so we decided to hike out. How far could it be? As it turned out, it was a LOT further. We were finally rescued by some guys who were fishing illegally.
Always take a sweater or jacket and plenty of water, and a hat.