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

3011, 2008

Thick Fog and the Night Sky

adm_mwobs2008-11-30T06:18:18-05:00November 30th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Thick Fog and the Night Sky 2008-11-30 06:18:18.000 - Mike Finnegan, IT Observer Summit Stars: Sirius, Orion, and Taurus Today has been a nice change of pace from what has been normal as of late. It began with a short hike this afternoon, around 3:00. I had

2811, 2008

Thanksgiving

adm_mwobs2008-11-28T15:49:30-05:00November 28th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Thanksgiving 2008-11-28 15:49:30.000 - Steve Welsh, IT Observer Thanksgiving Dinner Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with a great turkey dinner, provided and expertly cooked for us, by Rob, this weeks volunteer. It was certainly quiet, as we are without Stacey and Jeff this week, however, we were joined

2711, 2008

Meow.

adm_mwobs2008-11-27T13:19:15-05:00November 27th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Meow. 2008-11-27 13:19:15.000 - Jordan Scampoli, Summit Intern Hitchin a ride. Yesterday was my introduction into the winter commute to work on Mount Washington. Since the summit and the valley have seen snow and ice in the past few days, the only way we could reach the

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edutrip comment

adm_mwobs2008-08-09T07:42:29-04:00August 9th, 2008|Comments Off on edutrip comment

edutrip comment 2008-08-09 07:42:29.000 - EduTrippers, Mount Washington Observatory Under and overcast in a moment of clearing Imagine a cozy cottage with wonderful food, good company, bunk rooms, knowledgeable guides, an independent-minded cat, multiple learning

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adm_mwobs2008-08-08T05:28:39-04:00August 8th, 2008|Comments Off on Nights

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adm_mwobs2008-08-07T04:25:08-04:00August 7th, 2008|Comments Off on Chaotic Sky

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