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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

106, 2018

May 2018 in Review

June 1st, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

May 2018 in Review 2018-06-01 12:34:18.000 - Thomas Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   With May 2018 now in the record books I decided to take a look at how our weather for the month stacked up to our 85-year climate record for the summit. There certainly were

2905, 2018

A Walk in the Clouds

May 29th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Walk in the Clouds 2018-05-29 12:38:57.000 - Ben Seleb, Summit Intern   It’s going to be hard to follow up the tear-jerking blog posted by the resigning observer Caleb. As a new intern, it’s impossible to match the kind of emotional and moving experiences he was

2805, 2018

What a Run it has Been!

May 28th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

What a Run it has Been! 2018-05-28 18:24:20.000 - Caleb Meute, Weather Observer / Meteorologist   It has been an incredible two years spent working atop the Rockpile but my time has come to an end as I will be returning to a more normalized schedule whilst

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Fires, Flares, Hurricanes and Earthquakes… Oh My!

September 9th, 2017|Comments Off on Fires, Flares, Hurricanes and Earthquakes… Oh My!

Fires, Flares, Hurricanes and Earthquakes… Oh My! 2017-09-09 06:01:24.000 - Caleb Meute, Weather Observer / Meteorologist   Natural disasters have been in the news much too frequently these past few weeks, and Hurricane Irma looks

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September 4th, 2017|Comments Off on My Introduction to Mt. Washington

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August 31st, 2017|Comments Off on Reflections on a Summer of Research

Reflections on a Summer of Research 2017-08-31 10:54:11.000 - Eric Kelsey, Director of Research   Summer is drawing to a close at the summit. The summer internships have ended and the interns have departed to

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