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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

306, 2008

NULL

June 3rd, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2008-06-03 11:16:17.000 - Summit Volunteer,  Summit Volunteer Me enjoying the sunset This is my second tour volunteering and it's even better than last. Wearrived early Wed morning to see rime ice coating everything. Just enoughfor us to marvel at it's beauty in late May and then

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106, 2008

Feelings of June

June 1st, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Feelings of June 2008-06-01 20:42:39.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer NULL June 1st. For many, this brings a feeling of absolute summer. For those in school, vacation has already begun or is very near. Outdoor activities include paddling, climbing on rocks that are not so cold, and

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3105, 2008

NULL

May 31st, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2008-05-31 14:20:16.000 - Lisa Hodges,  Summit Intern Thursday Springtime in New England has always been my favorite time of year. The approach of summer never fails to boost my mood. From mud puddles to late season Nor’easters, the weather of the northeast continues its predictably fast-changing

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Island in the Sky

January 28th, 2008|Comments Off on Island in the Sky

Island in the Sky 2008-01-28 00:51:13.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer NULL Today was one of those days when you feel most honored to have a job working atop a place such as Mount Washington.

Lady of the Rime!

January 25th, 2008|Comments Off on Lady of the Rime!

Lady of the Rime! 2008-01-25 20:08:56.000 - Kyle Paddleford,  Observer Smile! If you ever have a problem waking up early in the morning and quickly falling back to sleep, or feeling like the walking dead,

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January 24th, 2008|Comments Off on Creepy nights

Creepy nights 2008-01-24 15:02:35.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer NULL “So you’re working nights this week?” This is what Kyle asked me yesterday afternoon. I figured, since I haven’t ever worked nights, and since he’s been

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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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