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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

3103, 2018

1855 Days at 6288 Feet

March 31st, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

1855 Days at 6288 Feet 2018-03-31 16:38:13.000 - Mike Carmon, Senior Meteorologist & Education Specialist   All good things must come to an end. On July 30, 2008 I arrived at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road at 8:30AM for the very first time. I

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2903, 2018

Ozone Levels

March 29th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

Ozone Levels 2018-03-29 09:41:27.000 - Jillian Reynolds, Summit Intern   You may have heard about the current ozone levels in the news or in our forecasts. You may think “What is ozone”? or “What are they basing this level off of”? Well, I am here today to

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2603, 2018

The Return of Sunrise

March 26th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Return of Sunrise 2018-03-26 17:19:14.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Working nights on the summit, my shift typically starts at 1730 EST (1830EDT) and ends at 0530 EST (0630 EDT) the following morning. I don’t mind this shift, in fact, I prefer the night

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A Tale of Two Internships

August 4th, 2017|Comments Off on A Tale of Two Internships

A Tale of Two Internships 2017-08-04 17:00:27.000 - Margaret Jividen, Summit Intern   Growing up in Western New York, I spent much of my summers in the woods. I loved the mountains, and my mother

Differences in Precipitation

August 2nd, 2017|Comments Off on Differences in Precipitation

Differences in Precipitation 2017-08-02 07:44:05.000 - Jillian Reynolds, Summit Intern      One of the questions that I usually get as a meteorologist is “what is the difference between freezing rain, sleet and hail?” Well, I

July Statistics

July 31st, 2017|Comments Off on July Statistics

July Statistics 2017-07-31 15:52:22.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Since the month of July is almost over, lets look at some of the statistics for the month! Temperature wise, as of this posting,

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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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