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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

1101, 2008

Introduction of Mr. Ryan Buckley

January 11th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Introduction of Mr. Ryan Buckley 2008-01-11 11:37:31.000 - Ryan Buckley,  Summit Intern Nice Picture of Tower Hello Mt. Washington Cohorts,My name is Ryan Buckley I am a civil engineering student at Wentworth Institute of Technology and I will be the winter intern on Mike, Stacey and Kyle’s

1001, 2008

The Return to the Summit

January 10th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Return to the Summit 2008-01-10 10:17:16.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer NULL Life has lead me once again to the summit. I worked last winter as an intern, now returning to work as an IT Observer. Although I’ve only been gone 7 months, many changes have

901, 2008

Results of the Mascot Primary!

January 9th, 2008|Categories: Historical Posts|

Results of the Mascot Primary! 2008-01-09 07:34:02.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer A rather snowless summit.... I know that most people are visiting the website this morning to see which cat-idate was victorious in our Mascot Primary. Well, I’m going to hold you in suspense for just another

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Volunteers Reflections

September 5th, 2007|Comments Off on Volunteers Reflections

Volunteers Reflections 2007-09-05 09:07:55.000 - Kurt Renn and John Perez,  Summit Volunteers Early Morning Clouds As our last day on the summit as MWO volunteers, we are taking the time to look back and reflect

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