Temperature:      Wind Speed:      Gust:      Wind Chill:      Direction:     Switch to Metric     Summit Conditions

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

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

2112, 2021

Students in Rural NH Learn Data Science with Help from WeatherX

December 21st, 2021|Categories: Impact Stories|

Students in Rural NH Learn Data Science with Help from WeatherX By MWOBS Staff Students in Patti Dugan-Henriksen's class are learning data science by investigating extreme weather events thanks to WeatherX, an all new data-rich science curriculum supported by Mount Washington Observatory. If you value educational

Read More
1412, 2021

Inspiring Curiosity in Weather and Climate

December 14th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Inspiring Curiosity in Weather and Climate 2021-12-14 21:04:14.000 - Jacquelyn Bellefontaine, Weather Observer & Education Specialist   One of my favorite parts of the week occurs on Tuesdays at 11:15 am, when our Home of the World’s Worst Weather Live! program takes place. This free virtual classroom

Read More
1012, 2021

Dear Santa….

December 10th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Dear Santa.... 2021-12-10 20:10:48.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Dear Santa-   Where did the year go? It seems like just yesterday I was writing to you and yet, here we are once again with me in charge of writing to you with our Observatory

Read More

Share This Post

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!

My First Shift on the Summit

January 19th, 2020|Comments Off on My First Shift on the Summit

My First Shift on the Summit 2020-01-19 10:10:36.000 - Caleb Buchler, Summit Intern   Hey! My name is Caleb Buchler and I am the other winter intern at the Summit. I graduated with my second

A Turn for the Snowy In Our Future?

January 13th, 2020|Comments Off on A Turn for the Snowy In Our Future?

A Turn for the Snowy In Our Future? 2020-01-13 09:12:47.000 - Thomas Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist     Brief clearing following the storm on January 12th revealed what was left of our snow.    After

Hello from the Summit of Mount Washington!

January 10th, 2020|Comments Off on Hello from the Summit of Mount Washington!

Hello from the Summit of Mount Washington! 2020-01-10 13:35:22.000 - Eve Cinquino, Summit Intern   Hello from the summit of Mount Washington! My name is Eve Cinquino, and I am one of the winter interns

Find Older Posts

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.

© Copyright 2026 | Mount Washington Observatory | All Rights Reserved | 603-356-2137

Did you know you can text ‘weather’ and ‘forecast’ to 603-356-2137 for current weather and conditions?
Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

Go to Top