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

103, 2009

Here Comes the Snow

adm_mwobs2009-03-01T17:05:55-05:00March 1st, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Here Comes the Snow 2009-03-01 17:05:55.000 - Brian Clark, Observer and Meteorologist Close call For someone like me, that not only loves the weather but also loves snow (a lot), the anticipation of an impending snow storm is sometimes hard to bear. With how good the operational

2802, 2009

It was a bright, bright sunshiny day

adm_mwobs2009-02-28T20:29:53-05:00February 28th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

It was a bright, bright sunshiny day 2009-02-28 20:29:53.000 - Ali Boris, Summit Intern Gus, Mike, Chris, and Michelle enjoying the day Today was an excellent day for outdoor activities, and we had plenty of them.This morning, Mike and I hiked down to the Lakes of the

2702, 2009

LLBean Hiking Trip

adm_mwobs2009-02-27T18:31:16-05:00February 27th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

LLBean Hiking Trip 2009-02-27 18:31:16.000 - Mike Finnegan, IT Observer Here on the summit the winter is filled with trips; day trips, EduTrips, climbing trips, among others. Last night we had an unusual hiking trip up here. It consisted of 6 LLBean folks and a guide, Nick.

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