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

2907, 2009

Science in the Mountains

adm_mwobs2009-07-29T11:12:37-04:00July 29th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Science in the Mountains 2009-07-29 11:12:37.000 - Scott Wehrwein, Summit Intern NULL If you're in the White Mountains area, come check out this evening's installment of the Mount Washington Observatory's Science in the Mountains program. Every Wednesday evening of this summer, we'll be using video conferencing technology

2807, 2009

NULL

adm_mwobs2009-07-28T09:19:39-04:00July 28th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2009-07-28 09:19:39.000 - Amy Terborg, Summit Intern NOTE: If you attended Seek the Peak 9, we'd love to get your opinion of the event. Complete this survey for a chance to win a La Crosse Technology WD-3105U Weather Direct Forecast Station or an L.L. Bean fleece

2707, 2009

STP

adm_mwobs2009-07-27T17:46:42-04:00July 27th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

STP 2009-07-27 17:46:42.000 - Karen Hemeon, Membership & Events Coordinator NULL On behalf of all of us here at the Obs, I want to thank each and every oneof you who participated in Seek the Peak as a hiker, sponsor or donor.Through your hard work and generosity,

Previous 101010111012 Next

Support Us

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

We cannot do this without your support!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW

Mystery

adm_mwobs2009-04-04T02:33:45-04:00April 4th, 2009|Comments Off on Mystery

Mystery 2009-04-04 02:33:45.000 - Mike Carmon, Observer NULL Instead of steering the topic of conversation away from bogus gender-bending felines, story-telling senior executive interns, and fictitious studies done by mysterious professors with names strikingly similar

Balderdash!

adm_mwobs2009-04-02T08:09:29-04:00April 2nd, 2009|Comments Off on Balderdash!

Balderdash! 2009-04-02 08:09:29.000 - Marty, Summit MALE Cat Angry Green-Eyed Marty So, after a hilarious April Fool's joke, WOKQ will be hosting the Observatory's executive director, Scot Henley, and the Conway Humane Society's Virginia Moore

Surprise

adm_mwobs2009-04-01T16:15:56-04:00April 1st, 2009|Comments Off on Surprise

Surprise 2009-04-01 16:15:56.000 - Jordan Scampoli, Summit Intern Kittens! Recently Marty has been putting on some weight and been increasingly solitary. We thought it was possibly a food allergy. Turns out, Marty has surprised us