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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, 2020

Some Notes on Baking at Altitude

August 17th, 2020|Categories: Historical Posts|

Some Notes on Baking at Altitude 2020-08-17 09:11:30.000 - Nate Iannuccillo, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   A couple weeks ago, during the first installment of the Observatory’s Science in the Mountains series, I mentioned that I had a sourdough starter that I take with me up and down

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1008, 2020

A Brief Geologic History of The Whites

August 10th, 2020|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Brief Geologic History of The Whites 2020-08-10 16:23:35.000 - Nicole Tallman, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   After hearing word of a North Carolina earthquake that occurred this past Sunday I was reminded of my second passion, Geology. I started diving into the “shakemap” from the USGS website

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Citizen Scientists Mobilize!

June 4th, 2019|Comments Off on Citizen Scientists Mobilize!

Citizen Scientists Mobilize! 2019-06-04 20:41:37.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Every time I stepped out last night to a scene of snow and rime, I found myself double-checking my smartphone's calendar to make

Anna’s First Shift on Mount Washington

June 3rd, 2019|Comments Off on Anna’s First Shift on Mount Washington

Anna's First Shift on Mount Washington 2019-06-03 19:36:24.000 - Anna Smith, Summit Intern   When they say ain’t no mountain high enough, I’m not sure if they’ve been here and seen what weather the prominence

June Snow on the Horizon?

May 30th, 2019|Comments Off on June Snow on the Horizon?

June Snow on the Horizon? 2019-05-30 16:45:49.000 - Thomas Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   GFS Model surface pressure and precipitation showing low pressure and precipitation parked over New England Monday afternoon. Image courtesy of Tropical

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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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