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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

1608, 2019

Climate Change in the Classroom

August 16th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

Climate Change in the Classroom 2019-08-16 18:48:18.000 - Ian Bailey, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   This weekend, we will be conducting our first ever Climate Change Professional Development program! We have invited 8 teachers from multiple different schools and classrooms to join us on the summit to learn

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908, 2019

A Chilly August Weekend Ahead

August 9th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Chilly August Weekend Ahead 2019-08-09 09:50:28.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   The weekend ahead looks to feature some of the first “fall-like” weather on the summit, even though the calendar only reads mid-August! There’s even a chance we could see our first freezing temperatures

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Cloudrise instead of Sunrise

October 28th, 2018|Comments Off on Cloudrise instead of Sunrise

Cloudrise instead of Sunrise 2018-10-28 20:03:43.000 - Bill Ofsiany, Summit Volunteer   The summit was above valley clouds this morning, but clouds were above the summit, too. There was a narrow band of clear sky

The Tower on the Hill

October 24th, 2018|Comments Off on The Tower on the Hill

The Tower on the Hill 2018-10-24 12:32:16.000 - Sarah Schulte, Museum Attendant   It’s very fitting that, as I’m writing this, our trip down the mountain isn’t a guarantee. For all I know, this might

Why Do Certain Leaves Change Color?

October 22nd, 2018|Comments Off on Why Do Certain Leaves Change Color?

Why Do Certain Leaves Change Color? 2018-10-22 11:54:57.000 - Chloe Boehm, Summit Intern   After spectacular fall foliage for the last few weeks, winter weather has started to descend upon the mountain and with that

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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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