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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

1411, 2018

“What do you guys do on your off weeks?”

November 14th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

"What do you guys do on your off weeks?" 2018-11-14 05:16:30.000 - Christopher Hohman, Night Observer   A question we’ve gotten from a couple Facebook lives this week was, “So what do you guys do on your off weeks?” I love this question because most of the

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1111, 2018

A Windy Start to Winter

November 11th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Windy Start to Winter 2018-11-11 13:48:59.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   This year it seems like we have seen a greater frequency of strong storms that produced 100+ mph gusts up here on the summit. Taking a look at this year, as of today

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311, 2018

A Unique Instrument for a Unique Place!

November 3rd, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Unique Instrument for a Unique Place! 2018-11-03 14:17:33.000 - Chloe Boehm, Summit Intern   In anticipation of high winds tonight on the summit, it seemed appropriate to discuss how the observatory measures wind speeds in such an extreme environment. Since Mt. Washington experiences wind speeds that

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Using Clouds to Predict the Future

February 18th, 2018|Comments Off on Using Clouds to Predict the Future

Using Clouds to Predict the Future 2018-02-18 17:22:53.000 - Caleb Meute, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   A bout with the influenza virus has kept me sidelined this week and at home in Burlington where Molly has

Wind Chill Advisory VS Warning

February 15th, 2018|Comments Off on Wind Chill Advisory VS Warning

Wind Chill Advisory VS Warning 2018-02-15 10:36:20.000 - Jillian Reynolds, Summit Intern   You may have heard or seen in our forecasts that a “Wind Chill Advisory/Warning is in effect until…” After hearing or seeing

Hold the Brie – Cheesy Valentine’s Wishes from the Summit

February 13th, 2018|Comments Off on Hold the Brie – Cheesy Valentine’s Wishes from the Summit

Hold the Brie - Cheesy Valentine's Wishes from the Summit 2018-02-13 12:19:20.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Back in elementary school, Valentine’s Day kind of had a Christmas vibe to it - decorations,

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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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