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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

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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308, 2020

A Little Bit of White Mountain Tornado History

August 3rd, 2020|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Little Bit of White Mountain Tornado History 2020-08-03 19:33:11.000 - Nate Iannuccillo, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   This past week, I spent some time researching tornadoes in preparation for a distance learning program on tornado development. Aside from learning some fun facts for the presentation, I got

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Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

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Long Way From Home

May 26th, 2019|Comments Off on Long Way From Home

Long Way From Home 2019-05-26 17:20:29.000 - Austin Patrick, Summit Intern   Coming from Ohio to New Hampshire to Mount Washington is an experience, and it’s one that should be shared! My name is Austin

Atmospheric Long Waves and Short Waves; not the hand kind

May 25th, 2019|Comments Off on Atmospheric Long Waves and Short Waves; not the hand kind

Atmospheric Long Waves and Short Waves; not the hand kind 2019-05-25 06:20:51.000 - Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   Often times in our forecasts there a couple terms we use that describe a wave pattern in

Country Roads…Mount Washington Edition!

May 20th, 2019|Comments Off on Country Roads…Mount Washington Edition!

Country Roads...Mount Washington Edition! 2019-05-20 11:25:35.000 - John King, Summit Intern   Country roads, take me home, to the place, I belong, the White Mountains! Howdy, my name is John King and I am the

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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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