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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

2208, 2007

NULL

August 22nd, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 a hundred or more over the last week, as we served as

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2108, 2007

Mount Washington Observatory Presents…Stacey Kawecki (me!)

August 21st, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 cookie: 6 HoursFavorite Saying: Ouch! ( a result of being an incurable

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2008, 2007

Peters introduction…

August 20th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

Peters introduction... 2007-08-20 14:48:36.000 - Peter Sciola,  Summit Intern Our shadow being casted. My first few days up here have been an incredible and unique experience. I am a recent graduate of Florida State University and this is my first meteorological experience in a professional setting. I

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Volunteers Reflect

April 4th, 2007|Comments Off on Volunteers Reflect

Volunteers Reflect 2007-04-04 08:32:18.000 - Charlie and Jeanine Kinney,  Summit Volunteers Spring on the summit... How does one capsulate a myriad of experiences over a period of time which by the calendar was only a

NULL

April 3rd, 2007|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2007-04-03 09:01:54.000 - Jim Salge,  Observer Presidentials Window Considering that we had April in early January, it’s only fair that we get a bit of January in April. Light snow moved in yesterday, and

NULL

April 2nd, 2007|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2007-04-02 10:04:31.000 - Brent Antkowiak,  Summit Intern Me above the bowl... With the temperatures expected to reach the freezing mark, light winds, and nearly clear skies, we were certain that the eastern snow fields

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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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