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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

2704, 2021

Local Partners to help you Seek Your Peak this Summer

April 27th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Local Partners to help you Seek Your Peak this Summer 2021-04-27 13:22:02.000 - Stephanie Fitzgerald, Director of Development   Winter may have returned to the summit last week, but those of us at lower elevations are thinking of warmer days ahead. Many of our members and friends

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2104, 2021

Visibility from Summit Appears to be Increasing Over Time

April 21st, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Visibility from Summit Appears to be Increasing Over Time 2021-04-21 10:21:46.000 - Charlie Buterbaugh, Development Coordinator   Weather Observer Sam Robinson stands above the clouds in December 2020. Observers record prevailing visibility at each of their 24 hourly observations, every day of the year. Weather Observers Jay

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1204, 2021

Big Wind Day 2021

April 12th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Big Wind Day 2021 2021-04-12 14:41:54.000 - Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   In years past, this annual blog post has taken a scientific approach and described the overall weather pattern of the system that brought several 220+ mph and two 231 mph wind gusts out of the

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Types of Icing Events on Mount Washington

September 17th, 2019|Comments Off on Types of Icing Events on Mount Washington

Types of Icing Events on Mount Washington 2019-09-17 14:23:48.000 - Ben Charles, Intern   The second week of my fall internship here at the summit of Mount Washington has been an eventful one. It had

Lenticular Clouds and Mt. Washington

September 16th, 2019|Comments Off on Lenticular Clouds and Mt. Washington

Lenticular Clouds and Mt. Washington 2019-09-16 11:03:58.000 - Ian Bailey, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Yesterday, we had some incredible views of some Lenticular clouds over the summit! Once we cleared from the fog, I had

When do we Average seeing our First Snow?

September 13th, 2019|Comments Off on When do we Average seeing our First Snow?

When do we Average seeing our First Snow? 2019-09-13 15:29:53.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   With winter coming fast in the White Mountains, it is always fun to look back at our records

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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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