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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

609, 2019

My Perspective of Being a Summit Volunteer

September 6th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

My Perspective of Being a Summit Volunteer 2019-09-06 12:20:54.000 - Carol Anderson, Summit Volunteer   I have been a summit volunteer for 3 years and I love it. I have been on the rockpile in every season. I have been a co-volunteer with people I did not

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409, 2019

Follow Your Passion, The Rest Will Fall Into Place

September 4th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

Follow Your Passion, The Rest Will Fall Into Place 2019-09-04 06:52:05.000 - Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   Hello all!  For this blog post, I’m going to take a different route.  Often times, I write something sciency about some weather phenomena, process, or something regarding the atmosphere and

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209, 2019

An Analysis of Hurricane Dorian So Far

September 2nd, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

An Analysis of Hurricane Dorian So Far 2019-09-02 08:57:45.000 - Ian Bailey, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   This past weekend we had our final Summer Edutrip for the season on the summit. And the theme for this trip, coincidentally, was Hurricanes and the Science of Tropical Cyclones. As

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Final Thoughts on my Internship

December 12th, 2018|Comments Off on Final Thoughts on my Internship

Final Thoughts on my Internship 2018-12-12 07:45:28.000 - Zach Butler, Summit Intern   What an experience this half year had been! I cannot believe I’ve been an intern up here since late May, time truly

How Do Lenticular Clouds Form?

December 11th, 2018|Comments Off on How Do Lenticular Clouds Form?

How Do Lenticular Clouds Form? 2018-12-11 04:34:52.000 - Christopher Hohman, Observer/Staff Meteorologist   We had some of my favorite clouds form over the summit a few days back. They are the infamous “Lenticular Clouds.” These

Keeping in Shape while Working on the Summit

December 7th, 2018|Comments Off on Keeping in Shape while Working on the Summit

Keeping in Shape while Working on the Summit 2018-12-07 15:55:25.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Working up here on the summit can lead to a sedentary lifestyle easily if you let it, especially

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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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