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

2912, 2007

Sleep vs. Skiing….Hmmmm?

adm_mwobs2007-12-29T05:49:53-05:00December 29th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

Sleep vs. Skiing....Hmmmm? 2007-12-29 05:49:53.000 - Kyle Paddleford, Observer Looking toward Tuckerman Ravine I have not been able to sleep well this week for some reason. Being tired during the night shift is definitely the downside of this, but waking early in the day does have its

2712, 2007

NULL

adm_mwobs2007-12-27T14:33:01-05:00December 27th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2007-12-27 14:33:01.000 - Stacey Kawecki, Observer NULL This shift week could not have begun any differently than last shift week. Last week we came up in the Snow Cat with two interns, one volunteer, and two observers, in winds gusting to over 100 mph, snow, freezing

2612, 2007

Community

adm_mwobs2007-12-26T08:38:06-05:00December 26th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

Community 2007-12-26 08:38:06.000 - Aubrie Pace, Summit Intern The Gang on Christmas Eve I have attended two great schools, Lincoln Middle School and Barrington High School, and I have learned a lot from both. However, from what I have learned, the thing I utilize the most is

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Changes

adm_mwobs2007-08-23T23:56:40-04:00August 23rd, 2007|Comments Off on Changes

Changes 2007-08-23 23:56:40.000 - Zach Allen, Meteorologist NULL Hard for me to believe that a couple weeks ago I found myself in central Florida. It is quite the change from the comforts of this mountaintop

NULL

adm_mwobs2007-08-22T06:20:44-04:00August 22nd, 2007|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2007-08-22 06:20:44.000 - John and Steve, Summit Volunteers NULL Sunrise this morning was as you might expect: on time, and spectacular. Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words and we took a few, perhaps

Mount Washington Observatory Presents…Stacey Kawecki (me!)

adm_mwobs2007-08-21T21:42:01-04:00August 21st, 2007|Comments Off on Mount Washington Observatory Presents…Stacey Kawecki (me!)

Mount Washington Observatory Presents…Stacey Kawecki (me!) 2007-08-21 21:42:01.000 - Stacey Kawecki, Observer Mondays sunset. Mount Washington Observatory Presents…Stacey Kawecki (me!)Quick Facts:Juice of Choice: 100% Cranberry Juice, no sugar addedLongest amount of time to eat a