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

2510, 2008

Data Check.

adm_mwobs2008-10-25T17:44:12-04:00October 25th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Data Check. 2008-10-25 17:44:12.000 - Ryan Knapp, Staff Meteorologist A sample of the forms we have to check. I do not get to watch much television. The summit does not have television since we do not have an antenna up and I do not get television at

2410, 2008

WFA & Sunset

adm_mwobs2008-10-24T16:59:53-04:00October 24th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

WFA & Sunset 2008-10-24 16:59:53.000 - Mike Carmon, Summit Intern Camel's Hump & Mt. Whiteface If you come to the Observatory on a typical day, you’ll find two or three observers, an intern or two, a volunteer or two, and maybe a museum attendant, depending on the

2310, 2008

Snowy Shift Change

adm_mwobs2008-10-23T18:47:26-04:00October 23rd, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Snowy Shift Change 2008-10-23 18:47:26.000 - Brian Clark, Observer Shift change in the snow The last two days have been extremely busy for all of the summit crew. So many things have been going on that it is actually difficult to pick just one to write about

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