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

1307, 2006

First Impressions From a Teacher Extern

adm_mwobs2006-07-13T23:09:22-04:00July 13th, 2006|Categories: Historical Posts|

First Impressions From a Teacher Extern 2006-07-13 23:09:22.000 - Rick Comeau, Teacher Extern On the 27th of June I said good-bye to my middle school students and with my science classrroom in disarray and several end-of-the-year forms still in my mailbox, I left to begin my five

1107, 2006

Practical Summit Lightning Safety

adm_mwobs2006-07-11T13:41:39-04:00July 11th, 2006|Categories: Historical Posts|

Practical Summit Lightning Safety 2006-07-11 13:41:39.000 - Christy Schultz, Summit Intern Building thunderstorm over Mount Madison Here’s a question for all readers: If you’re on the summit of Mount Washington and hear thunder, do you a) tell your kids to hurry to the summit for a picture

1007, 2006

It

adm_mwobs2006-07-10T09:04:35-04:00July 10th, 2006|Categories: Historical Posts|

It 2006-07-10 09:04:35.000 - Christy Schultz, Summit Intern Virga seen to the Northeast... “It’s been sunny for so long I don’t remember what the rain looks like!” Although I have absolutely no recollection of proclaiming this at 3 o’clock am last night in the intern bunk room

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NULL

adm_mwobs2006-02-20T22:31:50-05:00February 20th, 2006|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2006-02-20 22:31:50.000 - Tim Markle, Chief Observer Working Overtime Conditions have become more "seasonable" atop the summit. The fog continues to hold on, howver, and occasionally there are a few snow showers. Temperatures have