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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

1708, 2008

Hail!!!!

August 17th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Hail!!!! 2008-08-17 09:24:56.000 - Jim Salge,  Temporary Observer Hail accumulating during the storm... Well, shortly after I posted yesterday’s comment, the forecasted thunderstorms moved in, with a strange breed of ferocity. Absent from the storm was the typical winds and fog, present was frequent, visible lightning and

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1608, 2008

Bike Race and Sun Rays…

August 16th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Bike Race and Sun Rays... 2008-08-16 07:01:50.000 - Jim Salge,  Temporary Observer Rain Showers and Sun Rays... This morning is the annual Mount Washington Bicycle Hillclimb, where 600 riders will challenge themselves to one of the toughest climbs in the world. The race, 7.6 miles long, averages

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1508, 2008

More Wet…

August 15th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

More Wet... 2008-08-15 11:08:51.000 - Jim Salge,  Temporary Observer Clear skies, building clouds... This morning, the summit has exhibited a classic symptom: summer convective cycles. A clear, cool and most importantly beautiful morning dawned with the full crew and guests on the deck at sunrise. Temperatures dropped

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Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

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winter returns

May 1st, 2008|Comments Off on winter returns

winter returns 2008-05-01 07:39:46.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer NULL Temperature: 8 degrees FWind: W 71 MPHWind Chill: -23 degrees FVisibility: 1/16 mileWeather Conditions: Freezing fog, light snow, and blowing snowThese were the conditions when I

Seak the Peak Coming Up Fast!

April 29th, 2008|Comments Off on Seak the Peak Coming Up Fast!

Seak the Peak Coming Up Fast! 2008-04-29 17:44:08.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer Holding up the snow board at observation time It has been snowing steadily and rather heavily all afternoon today. There was a very

Marty – First Time Out

April 28th, 2008|Comments Off on Marty – First Time Out

Marty - First Time Out 2008-04-28 21:32:13.000 - Marty,  Summit Cat Outside At Last Hello, Marty hereBig news.Been outside exploring for the first time.Very excited. Lots of rocks, caves, buildings and other strange things to

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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.

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Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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