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

2511, 2008

Volunteer notes…

adm_mwobs2008-11-25T16:34:41-05:00November 25th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Volunteer notes... 2008-11-25 16:34:41.000 - The Weeks, Summit Volunteer A shot of the tower from earlier in the week. The weather, the people, the food, the photos...My third volunteer week on the summit... Typical Mount Washington weather - everything from temperatures in the teens, relatively clear, sunny,

2411, 2008

Life with Marty

adm_mwobs2008-11-24T17:08:08-05:00November 24th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Life with Marty 2008-11-24 17:08:08.000 - Mike Carmon, Summit Intern Marty taking a load off When I came to the Observatory in August, I was expecting many new experiences. High winds, lots of snow and freezing cold temperatures, and long weeks living in close quarters. But I

2311, 2008

Scrat and I…

adm_mwobs2008-11-23T21:30:43-05:00November 23rd, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Scrat and I... 2008-11-23 21:30:43.000 - Ryan Knapp, Staff Meteorologist NULL One of my favorite movies of all time is “Ice Age.” It is an animated movie that is about a bunch of prehistoric animals that are trying to return a lost baby to it parents. I

Previous 108710881089 Next

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!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW

Two Volunteers Reflect:

adm_mwobs2008-08-06T07:14:06-04:00August 6th, 2008|Comments Off on Two Volunteers Reflect:

Two Volunteers Reflect: 2008-08-06 07:14:06.000 - Doug Mathews & Bob Foudriat, Summit Volunteers Last Thursday's (only) sunrise... Notes from our two volunteers this week:A week as a volunteer is drawing to a close and with

Comment the Last

adm_mwobs2008-08-05T10:27:41-04:00August 5th, 2008|Comments Off on Comment the Last

Comment the Last 2008-08-05 10:27:41.000 - Ted Letcher, Summit Intern Flowers amonst the mist in the alpine garden Cabin fever as defined by Merriam-Webster is “extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a

Fog…break…fog…fog…break…downpour…fog…break.

adm_mwobs2008-08-04T16:44:07-04:00August 4th, 2008|Comments Off on Fog…break…fog…fog…break…downpour…fog…break.

Fog...break...fog...fog...break...downpour...fog...break. 2008-08-04 16:44:07.000 - Jim Salge, Temporary Observer Incessent wall of cloud... Well, it may sound strange, but I couldn’t have been happier to see the thick, soupy wet fog completely enshrouding the peak this