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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

305, 2021

Summer Changes

May 3rd, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Summer Changes 2021-05-03 13:55:24.000 - Nicole Tallman, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   As we approach the warmer months, relatively speaking, the summit has begun some of the prep for summer! The first in line on our list of transitions was roping off an area on the observation deck.

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2704, 2021

Local Partners to help you Seek Your Peak this Summer

April 27th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Local Partners to help you Seek Your Peak this Summer 2021-04-27 13:22:02.000 - Stephanie Fitzgerald, Director of Development   Winter may have returned to the summit last week, but those of us at lower elevations are thinking of warmer days ahead. Many of our members and friends

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2104, 2021

Visibility from Summit Appears to be Increasing Over Time

April 21st, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Visibility from Summit Appears to be Increasing Over Time 2021-04-21 10:21:46.000 - Charlie Buterbaugh, Development Coordinator   Weather Observer Sam Robinson stands above the clouds in December 2020. Observers record prevailing visibility at each of their 24 hourly observations, every day of the year. Weather Observers Jay

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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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Western Snow and a Look Ahead

September 27th, 2019|Comments Off on Western Snow and a Look Ahead

Western Snow and a Look Ahead 2019-09-27 19:16:02.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Watching the weather over the past few days and watching a snow storm of epic proportions forming in the front

A Taste of All Seasons

September 24th, 2019|Comments Off on A Taste of All Seasons

A Taste of All Seasons 2019-09-24 10:07:54.000 - Laura Kee, Summit Intern   Hello everyone, my name is Laura and I’m the new fall intern up here on the summit! I am very excited to

Information For Autumn

September 23rd, 2019|Comments Off on Information For Autumn

Information For Autumn 2019-09-23 05:30:06.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Autumn has arrived and like usual, we have been receiving inquiries about foliage and the operating hours of the summit. I thought I’d

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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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