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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

804, 2019

Still Winter In Our “Backyard”

April 8th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

Still Winter In Our "Backyard" 2019-04-08 05:49:55.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   The acronym “NIMBY” (Not In My BackYard) is typically used for a person that objects to something perceived as unpleasant/dangerous in their local area. However, growing up around Lake Tahoe (CA) I always

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704, 2019

The Culprit Behind This Wintry Weather

April 7th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Culprit Behind This Wintry Weather 2019-04-07 12:53:02.000 - Chloe Boehm, Summit Intern   Even though meteorological spring has sprung, the summit has seen its fair share of wintry weather recently with more on its way. Many of the recent precipitation events have not been organized low

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504, 2019

Wind Statistics From Winter 2018-2019

April 5th, 2019|Categories: Historical Posts|

Wind Statistics From Winter 2018-2019 2019-04-05 15:49:02.000 - Thomas Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   It’s been a very memorable winter season, something I’ve mentioned before in past blogs but still can’t really get over is how windy it’s been! I decided to do a little more digging

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Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

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Another Day at the Office

June 26th, 2018|Comments Off on Another Day at the Office

Another Day at the Office 2018-06-26 16:31:19.000 - Zach Butler, Summit Intern   Starring out the office window for motivation of a blog post is never that hard. The beautiful northern view of our presidential

An Unlikely Destination

June 24th, 2018|Comments Off on An Unlikely Destination

An Unlikely Destination 2018-06-24 16:45:38.000 - Ben Seleb, Summit Intern   If you read the most recent blog by observer Ian Bailey, you may have noticed the part where he explained our annual hike-a-thon Seek

New Team, Same Dream!

June 23rd, 2018|Comments Off on New Team, Same Dream!

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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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