NORTH CONWAY, N.H. – Timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the place that monitors the worst weather in the world, Friday and Saturday’s Mount Washington Symposium for Air and Climate promises to be something other than a bunch of hot air.

The Sept. 7 and 8 forum starts at 1:30 p.m. Friday and continues late into Saturday night with the Mount Washington Observatory’s 75th anniversary dinner celebration and an after-dinner program about climate change. It will be held at the historic Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods, N.H.

The landmark event focuses on exploring climate change and air quality while creating a forum for the nation’s leading voices to share vital data, according to a recent report from Scot Henley, the observatory’s executive director.

“The symposium earnestly explores climate change science, economics and policy with a series of in-depth technical sessions (on Friday afternoon), as well as exploring how regional air quality relates to the global issue,” Henley stated. “Presenting session tracks for academics and non-scientists alike, the Symposium serves as an enlightening and educational event for all attendees.”

Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, technical sessions continue with air and climate presentations on forests, ecosystems, health and the economy. The afternoon session hits high gear with two concurrent tracks, offering attendees the option to attend either the climate and weather tracks or the history and culture tracks.

Topics cover everything from the future of hurricanes to the industry’s response to climate change.

Symposium speakers will bring expertise from various fields. Presenters will come from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Global Change Science, Harvard University’s School of Public Health and Center for the Environment, the New York Times, Stonyfield Farm, the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, and more.

Saturday’s closing gala also features a special presentation by Mark Bowen, author of the highly acclaimed book, “Thin Ice,” which National Public Radio’s Living on Earth program named the best science book of 2005.

“To make it truly a night to remember, guests will have a special opportunity to hear Mark Bowen’s presentation titled, ‘Climate Change from the Mountains to the Sea,'” Henley said.

The event begins with a preconference field trip from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, led by Maine Geological Survey geologist Woody Thompson, and observatory geologist Brian Fowler.

Henley said this unique field trip will capture tangible examples of climate change in the Northeast while examining late-glacial and post-glacial transformations in the White Mountains.

“With a myriad of technical sessions and options to attend either the history and culture tracks or the climate and weather tracks, attendees can truly shape this Symposium to best suit their knowledge base and interests,” Henley added.

Admission is open to the public. For more information, including ticket prices and a schedule of sessions, visit http://www.mount washington.org/events/symposium2007/.