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

2301, 2009

Spirit and MoonTide the foxes

adm_mwobs2009-01-23T16:16:15-05:00January 23rd, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Spirit and MoonTide the foxes 2009-01-23 16:16:15.000 - Jordan Scampoli, Summit Intern Peekaboo It has been 143 days since I began interning up here at the Observatory - not straight through of course, but 10 shift weeks after my first fateful trip up as a scared little

2201, 2009

Justin’s day trip

adm_mwobs2009-01-22T11:38:31-05:00January 22nd, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Justin's day trip 2009-01-22 11:38:31.000 - Stacey Kawecki, Observer clouds and summit buildings Who comes to the summit during their off-week? Many of us have made the trek for one reason or another. For example, Ryan Knapp hiked to the summit three times in one week: once

2001, 2009

From a volunteer.

adm_mwobs2009-01-20T21:22:24-05:00January 20th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

From a volunteer. 2009-01-20 21:22:24.000 - Summit Volunteer, Summit Volunteer NULL This has been a very good week to be a volunteer here on the summit, cold temperatures (-26), high winds (100+mph), sunny days, foggy days and topped off with today which was a perfect hiking day.

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