More than 20 'ill-prepared' hypothermic hikers rescued from snowy conditions on New England's highest peak

Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean reports a -9 degree temperature at the top of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, 6,288 feet high.

More than 20 "ill-prepared" hikers were rescued from the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire over the weekend after they got stuck in whiteout conditions, officials said.

The hikers had reached the mountain's 6,288-foot summit, but "most had no idea that summit services would be unavailable and that the state park was closed for the season," Andy Vilaine, the assistant general manager for the Mount Washington Cog Railway, said in a statement.

Vilaine said that many were hypothermic and without gear "even near suitable for the conditions."

More than 20 "ill-prepared" hikers were rescued from the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire over the weekend after they got stuck in snowy and windy conditions, according to the New Hampshire State Police. (New Hampshire State Parks)

HIKER SUFFER HYPOTHERMIA DURING TREK ON NEW ENGLAND'S HIGHEST PEAK AMID EAST COAST HEAT WAVE

Some of the hikers even admitted it was "their first hike ever," Vilaine said.

"Please don’t become a statistic and do your research before venturing out," he said.

Mount Washington, New England’s highest peak, is known for its extreme and severe weather, earning it the nickname "Home of the World's Worst Weather."

NH Fish and Game reached out to the Cog Railway for assistance in relaying rescuers up the train tracks to where the Westside Trail crosses the tracks known as Skyline, the department said. (New Hampshire Fish and Game Department)