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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

2511, 2019

The Snow Storm that Overproduced

November 25th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Snow Storm that Overproduced 2019-11-25 17:28:18.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Under predicting snow is pretty rare thing to do up here, especially with the winds that we see, blow over will usually prevent us from getting the full sample of snowfall in a

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1611, 2019

Cooking Up A Storm on the Rockpile

November 16th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

Cooking Up A Storm on the Rockpile 2019-11-16 08:30:48.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Adding to Adam’s post from this past week, I thought I’d write about some of our favorite meals here on the summit and our cooking set up. I personally enjoy cooking

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Oh the Places You’ll Go!

January 26th, 2019|Comments Off on Oh the Places You’ll Go!

Oh the Places You'll Go! 2019-01-26 15:41:37.000 - Taylor Regan, Weather Observer and Research Specialist   Each year, the American Meteorological Society hosts a conference, bringing together folks on the forefront of scientific discovery, as

MWO Researchers Participate in 99th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

January 24th, 2019|Comments Off on MWO Researchers Participate in 99th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

MWO Researchers Participate in 99th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting 2019-01-24 15:24:12.000 - Dr. Eric Kelsey, Director of Research   Research Specialist Observer, Taylor Regan, and I, Dr. Eric Kelsey, flew cross-country to Phoenix, Arizona

January Melt Out and an Impressively Windy Start to Winter

January 24th, 2019|Comments Off on January Melt Out and an Impressively Windy Start to Winter

January Melt Out and an Impressively Windy Start to Winter 2019-01-24 13:20:44.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist     Melting snow and rime ice beneath our A-frame leading to the observation deck    We’re

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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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