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

701, 2007

Back to winter…

adm_mwobs2007-01-07T08:22:16-05:00January 7th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

Back to winter... 2007-01-07 08:22:16.000 - Jackie Johnson, Summit Intern NULL Yesterday, with the lack of snow up here, true winter depression had set in. Being on the summit of Mount Washington and not seeing any snow in January is very disheartening. Then waking up to the

601, 2007

An EduTripper

adm_mwobs2007-01-06T06:17:03-05:00January 6th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

An EduTripper 2007-01-06 06:17:03.000 - Brian Wilk, EduTrip Participant Edutrip The last time I was up on the summit was for “Seek the Peak” weekend on July 22nd, 2006. This was about 6 months ago in the heart of summer and the temperature was only 50 F.

501, 2007

Warm, warm, warm, warm…

adm_mwobs2007-01-05T08:20:40-05:00January 5th, 2007|Categories: Historical Posts|

Warm, warm, warm, warm... 2007-01-05 08:20:40.000 - Jim Salge, Observer Sunrise over the southern peaks... I suppose that if you are trying to instruct photography on Mount Washington in January, weather like yesterday is just about what you dream of. Warm temperatures, manageable winds, and what the

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adm_mwobs2006-08-22T14:07:38-04:00August 22nd, 2006|Comments Off on

2006-08-22 14:07:38.000 - Summit Crew, Mount Washington Observatory A lot going on at the summit today, but not much weatherwise, so I’m merely directing you to another source for your daily mountain fix today. On

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adm_mwobs2006-08-21T09:04:56-04:00August 21st, 2006|Comments Off on Goodbye Mount Washington!

Goodbye Mount Washington! 2006-08-21 09:04:56.000 - Christy Schultz, Chief Intern This morning It’s unbelievable just how fast time really does fly when you’re having fun! A prime example of that cliché saying is this summer:

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adm_mwobs2006-08-20T09:15:56-04:00August 20th, 2006|Comments Off on Another intern says goodbye…

Another intern says goodbye... 2006-08-20 09:15:56.000 - Dan Huber, Summit Intern The summer intern exodus has begun. Walter left last Wednesday and Christy and I will leave this Wednesday for greener and calmer pastures. The