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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

1008, 2018

Quiet Hurricane Season on the Horizon?

August 10th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

Quiet Hurricane Season on the Horizon? 2018-08-10 16:35:16.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   With the month of August underway we’re heading into the peak of hurricane season, but it’s looking more likely that this year will overall be a down year for tropical systems (not

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808, 2018

The Science of Auroras

August 8th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Science of Auroras 2018-08-08 06:18:51.000 - Christopher Hohman, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   One of my personal favorite weather phenomenon here on the summit of Mount Washington, is one I haven’t actually observed yet! For the past few years I have been incredibly interested with quantum mechanics

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408, 2018

July Climatology

August 4th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

July Climatology 2018-08-04 19:09:40.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   As many people here in New England know, July was a very warm month across the Northeastern US. Mount Washington was no exception, though many sought refuge from the oppressive heat and humidity in the valleys

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Thanksgiving Recap!

November 24th, 2017|Comments Off on Thanksgiving Recap!

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My First Week, Part 3: Summer with Just a Dash of Winter

November 20th, 2017|Comments Off on My First Week, Part 3: Summer with Just a Dash of Winter

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My First Week, Part 2: Long Drive, Quiet Week

November 17th, 2017|Comments Off on My First Week, Part 2: Long Drive, Quiet Week

My First Week, Part 2: Long Drive, Quiet Week 2017-11-17 15:29:15.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   The first time I have ever really been east of the Mississippi River was coming to New

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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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