Mount Washington Observatory welcomes new summit cat, Nimbus Share Updated: 9:45 AM EDT May 6, 2021 SOURCE: Mount Washington Observatory Share Updated: 9:45 AM EDT May 6, 2021 A cat named for a type of cloud is taking his place above the clouds in his new home at the Mount Washington Observatory.Nimbus, a gray short-haired cat, was chosen from four candidates at the Conway Area Humane Society. He's described as a sociable cat who uses a wide variety of meows, chatters and purrs to keep the attention of staff members, according to a news release sent by the observatory.Nimbus arrived after the station lost its longtime resident cat, Marty. Workers at the observatory said cats have been a part of the facility since its founding in 1932."With the passing of Marty in late 2020, we started the search for a new cat, knowing it would have big paws to fill," said MWO Summit Operations Manager Rebecca Scholand. "The summit cat is such a special part of our living environment on the summit, making it feel much more like a home on our weeklong shifts."The cat's name comes from the name of large gray clouds that bring precipitation. The prefix "nimbo" or suffix "nimbus" can be attached to a cloud type, such as nimbostratus or cumulonimbus, signifying that the cloud is precipitating.Nimbus the cat was transferred to CAHS from the Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue Oklahoma.