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Mount Washington Observatory

Citizen Science Puts Weather Reporting in Your Hands

A distant shower falls over Mount Martha, NH (aka, Cherry Mountain). 
If you’re anything like me, you probably have an app or two dedicated to weather on your phone. Maybe you have a preferred app for weather forecasts, another for radar data, and yet another for satellite data. Or maybe instead of apps, you have several go-to websites bookmarked for various weather data.
Weather information keeps us informed so that we can prepare appropriately for the weather ahead, short-term or long-term. With colder weather in the forecast, we might pack a few extra layers or pull in a few more logs for the stove. Or, we might receive a warning about a severe storm heading your direction, and so we pack up, head indoors, and keep an eye on its progress.
While your favorite apps or websites might be providing you with weather data, did you know there are a few apps/sites that you can utilize and provide current weather data to aid in research as a citizen scientist?
Here are some apps that I have on my phone and might be of interest to you:
Mountain Rain or Snow
Remote sensing is improving and aiding in filling weather data gaps. However, precipitation phase changes can be difficult over mountainous terrain, and weather stations only provide information at a static location. That is where human observations aid in detailing how precipitation phase changes vary in time and space. Using these apps, with a few taps you can send observations of precipitation during storms at your location.
Forecasting
NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory is collecting weather reports through the free app mPING. What’s “mPING?” It is an acronym for Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground. The data in turn help define the precipitation that is falling at your location and improve forecasts and radar techniques. That in turn filters down to improve those various other weather apps you might be using for forecasts and radar data.
Cloud Types and Sky Conditions 
GLOBE Observer Clouds can be used to observe clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees. With the cloud observation aspect, you can help document cloud cover, cloud types, cloud opacity, sky conditions, visibilities, and surface conditions along with photographic examples. It is a bit more involved than the prior reporting apps, but with a few taps and snaps, you can contribute your real-world observations for better understanding and interpretation of satellite data vs surface data.

Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer & Meteorologist

2109, 2021

First Week on the Summit!

September 21st, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

First Week on the Summit! 2021-09-21 12:25:41.000 - Abigail Fitzgibbon, Summit Intern   My name is Abigail Fitzgibbon and I’m absolutely thrilled to be interning for Mount Washington Observatory on the summit this fall. Having grown up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, I’m no stranger to

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1409, 2021

My First Week at 6288′

September 14th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

My First Week at 6288' 2021-09-14 23:49:45.000 - Sam Gawel, Summit Intern   My name is Sam Gawel and I am ecstatic to be up for my first week at the Mount Washington Observatory. I was born and raised in Detroit, but the White Mountains have always

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809, 2021

Hello, Meteorological Autumn!

September 8th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Hello, Meteorological Autumn! 2021-09-08 07:01:22.000 - Jackie Bellefontaine, Weather Observer   A big warm welcome to You may be thinking, “Wait? September only just started!” well, what is known as orological autumn.tart of autumn on the calendar astronomical autumn. what is the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons?    Earth’s rotation around

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Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

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My Internship Comes to an End

November 26th, 2019|Comments Off on My Internship Comes to an End

My Internship Comes to an End 2019-11-26 10:40:13.000 - Ben Charles, Summit Intern   It felt like just yesterday was my first day as an intern driving up the road with chains on the truck

The Snow Storm that Overproduced

November 25th, 2019|Comments Off on The Snow Storm that Overproduced

The Snow Storm that Overproduced 2019-11-25 17:28:18.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Under predicting snow is pretty rare thing to do up here, especially with the winds that we see, blow over will

Cooking Up A Storm on the Rockpile

November 16th, 2019|Comments Off on Cooking Up A Storm on the Rockpile

Cooking Up A Storm on the Rockpile 2019-11-16 08:30:48.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Adding to Adam’s post from this past week, I thought I’d write about some of our favorite meals here

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Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region. Our weather station is located  on the summit of Mount Washington  in New Hampshire, at Mount Washington State Park.

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