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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

2106, 2009

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week

June 21st, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week 2009-06-21 17:07:33.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer and Meteorologist A distand thunderstorm - Summer 2007 Today marks the beginning of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week. Obviously as a scientific organization that mainly deals with weather as well as an organization that works to

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2006, 2009

49th Annual Mt. Washington Road Race

June 20th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

49th Annual Mt. Washington Road Race 2009-06-20 11:45:37.000 - Alex Jacques,  Summit Intern Spectators anxiously awaiting the first runners. Today was the 49th Annual Mt. Washington Road Race. Runners from all over the world took on the 7.6 mile challenge up the Mount Washington Auto Road. While

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1906, 2009

Hedda’s First Comment

June 19th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Hedda's First Comment 2009-06-19 14:02:48.000 - Hedda Peterson,  Summit Intern Wednesday's Sunset Today is my third day on the summit as an intern. Despite the persistent, dreary and overcast conditions I have enjoyed myself very much! I was lucky to have arrived on a sunny day in

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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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Marooned

February 23rd, 2009|Comments Off on Marooned

Marooned 2009-02-23 02:23:10.000 - Mike Carmon,  Observer NULL A typical shift at the Observatory averages about 5-7 staff for the week. During the winter months, however, we receive guests of all sorts: EduTrips, Climbing Trips,

Off weeks

February 21st, 2009|Comments Off on Off weeks

Off weeks 2009-02-21 11:46:36.000 - Jordan Scampoli,  Summit Intern NULL Believe it or not, members of the summit crew actually do things on their off weeks. To some, they are weeks off work, others they

stormy weather

February 19th, 2009|Comments Off on stormy weather

stormy weather 2009-02-19 17:25:20.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer NULL The calm before the storm.It is a simple phrase, and possibly over-used. It can allude to the obvious application, the weather. It can also lend itself

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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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Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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