Temperature:      Wind Speed:      Gust:      Wind Chill:      Direction:    Switch to Metric

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

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

1002, 2018

Just Your Average Weather Predicting Groundhog

February 10th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

Just Your Average Weather Predicting Groundhog 2018-02-10 15:34:29.000 - Taylor Regan, Weather Observer   One week ago at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a spritely groundhog by the name of Phil scurried out of his cozy tree-trunk home, saw his unsightly shadow, and proclaimed the impending extension

Read More
802, 2018

(Don’t) Blow Me Away!

February 8th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

(Don't) Blow Me Away! 2018-02-08 14:31:01.000 - Sarah Schulte, Summit Intern   If you Google images or video for the Mount Washington Observatory, you’re going to find a lot of clips and pictures about our observers being blown backwards, knocked flat and pushed around. As fun as

Read More
102, 2018

Three Snowstorms, Two Arctic Outbreaks, One Big Challenge

February 1st, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

Three Snowstorms, Two Arctic Outbreaks, One Big Challenge 2018-02-01 14:13:16.000 - Mike Carmon, Senior Meteorologist & Education Specialist   This winter has thus far been another typical New England roller coaster ride, with snowstorms and rainstorms, arctic outbreaks and record high temperatures, clear days and cloudy ones,

Read More

Share This Post

Support Us

Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

We cannot do this without your support!

The Crawford Path: 200 Years of Hiking in the White Mountains

June 23rd, 2017|Comments Off on The Crawford Path: 200 Years of Hiking in the White Mountains

The Crawford Path: 200 Years of Hiking in the White Mountains 2017-06-23 08:39:30.000 - Julia Moreland, Summit Intern   Mount Washington, and the White Mountains in general, have a long and diverse history. There are

Week 2 on the Rockpile

June 19th, 2017|Comments Off on Week 2 on the Rockpile

Week 2 on the Rockpile 2017-06-19 18:32:41.000 - Sam Webber, Summit Intern   After spending a long six days off of the summit, we finally made it back to the top. Being up here for

Adjusting to Life on the Mountain

June 17th, 2017|Comments Off on Adjusting to Life on the Mountain

Adjusting to Life on the Mountain 2017-06-17 08:58:27.000 - Nicole Tallman, Summit Intern   Being from New Jersey I have not spent my life in the mountains. Accepting this internship ensured that I would be

Find Older Posts

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.

© Copyright 2026 | Mount Washington Observatory | All Rights Reserved | 603-356-2137

Did you know you can text ‘weather’ and ‘forecast’ to 603-356-2137 for current weather and conditions?
Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

Go to Top