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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

1406, 2018

Slingin’ In the Rain

June 14th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

Slingin' In the Rain 2018-06-14 17:16:09.000 - Sarah Thunberg, Summit Intern   This week I really got the ball rolling on my summer research project with fellow intern Griffin. The project consists of us going out 3 times a day taking temperature, humidity, and wind speed measurements

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1206, 2018

Back to a Full Shift

June 12th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

Back to a Full Shift 2018-06-12 18:26:50.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   After several months of being down a person after Mike Carmon left and then with Caleb’s departure, we are back to a full shift! It is quite a relief now that summer is

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1006, 2018

A Night in the Stars

June 10th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Night in the Stars 2018-06-10 18:09:02.000 - Emily Tunkel, Summer Intern   Good evening MWO! My name is Emily Tunkel and I am currently on my fifth day as a summer intern at the observatory. I normally attend Brown University as an astronomy and mathematics concentrator,

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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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And So the Fun Began

October 5th, 2017|Comments Off on And So the Fun Began

And So the Fun Began 2017-10-05 19:34:06.000 - Nicole Tallman, Summit Intern   Have you ever wondered what it is like to be on top of Mount Washington in high winds? It feels like a

I Can See The Light!

October 3rd, 2017|Comments Off on I Can See The Light!

I Can See The Light! 2017-10-03 16:47:53.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   As the About Us page on our website states, “Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission

Things To Know Before You Go

October 1st, 2017|Comments Off on Things To Know Before You Go

Things To Know Before You Go 2017-10-01 05:56:54.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   This week we went from warm and muggy summer-like weather to cold and snowy winter-like weather. During the times we

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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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