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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

1209, 2025

Trail Report: Seek the Peak Hikes 11-15

September 12th, 2025|Categories: Observer Blog|

Trail Report: Seek the Peak Hikes 11-15 By Chris Nichols August 22, 2025 – Summit 11 of 17 It’s definitely feeling like fall up in the mountains.  Temps at the base where in the upper 40’s when I headed up the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail this morning.

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509, 2025

Summer Camp in the Clouds: Place-Based Discovery on Mount Washington

September 5th, 2025|Categories: Impact Stories|Tags: , , , , , |

Summer Camp in the Clouds: Place-Based Discovery on Mount Washington By MWOBS Staff           Just because school is out during the summer, doesn’t mean learning about weather and climate on Mount Washington takes a break. One of the hallmarks and new additions

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Team Flags Return for Seek the Peak’s 25th Anniversary

June 26th, 2025|Comments Off on Team Flags Return for Seek the Peak’s 25th Anniversary

Team Flags Return for Seek the Peak's 25th Anniversary By MWOBS Staff Mount Washington Observatory is looking forward to continuing a much-loved tradition for Seek the Peak’s 25th Anniversary: Team flags. In inviting teams

Meet Summer Interns Zakiya, Max and Maddie

June 25th, 2025|Comments Off on Meet Summer Interns Zakiya, Max and Maddie

Meet Summer Interns Zakiya, Max and Maddie By MWOBS Staff We are excited to welcome six teammates to the summit of Mount Washington this summer! During their internship, these students and graduates will play

Trail Report: Seek the Peak Hike 5

June 25th, 2025|Comments Off on Trail Report: Seek the Peak Hike 5

Trail Report: Seek the Peak Hike 5 By Chris Nichols June 23, 2025 – Summit 5 of 17 “Mountain weather is subject to rapid changes and extreme conditions…” that’s the lead sentence for 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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Did you know you can text ‘weather’ and ‘forecast’ to 603-356-2137 for current weather and conditions?
Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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