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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

904, 2007

Easter Fun

April 9th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

Easter Fun 2007-04-09 06:22:48.000 - Jon Cotton,  Observer The obvious part of the candy hunt Well, Easter was quite a success up here. We prepared well for it. All of us brought goodies along with the normal weekly items so we were pretty well stocked for candy.

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804, 2007

Happy Easter – Bunnies for Everyone!

April 8th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

Happy Easter - Bunnies for Everyone! 2007-04-08 07:13:42.000 - Jon Cotton,  Observer Treasure eggs Well it is that day isn't it? Happy Easter!Alan took advantage of the short window of clearing yesterday to create some cloud video. It starts with varying fog blowing overhead followed by a

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704, 2007

NULL

April 7th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2007-04-07 11:07:53.000 - Kyle Paddleford,  Observer Sailing the high seas I got out of bed this morning and headed to the weather room for a quick discussion of the weather with the night observer. As I was preparing to go out and do my first observation

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Airplanes and mountains

November 17th, 2006|Comments Off on Airplanes and mountains

Airplanes and mountains 2006-11-17 13:06:40.000 - Jon Cotton,  Observer NULL South winds always bring something interesting and different to the routine of walking outside. The tower door onto the deck faces east. Normally quite sheltered

Nin down the mountain

November 16th, 2006|Comments Off on Nin down the mountain

Nin down the mountain 2006-11-16 18:02:35.000 - Mike Renzi,  Summit Intern NULL Starting another shift on Mount Washington is met with some sadness, as Nin, the boss, was brought down the mountain during shift change

A volunteer

November 15th, 2006|Comments Off on A volunteer

A volunteer 2006-11-15 08:23:20.000 - Bruce Barlow,  Summit Volunteer NULL Tuesday afternoon. The week’s almost over. I finally got my one day of photography. More like an hour, but that’s what happens up here. This

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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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