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

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

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

1202, 2018

An Experience of a Lifetime

February 12th, 2018|Categories: Historical Posts|

An Experience of a Lifetime 2018-02-12 11:13:27.000 - CareyAnne Howlett, Winter Research Intern   Hi! My name is CareyAnne Howlett. I am a junior at Plymouth State University studying Meteorology. I was lucky enough to be the intern up here at the summit of Mt. Washington for

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

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

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 Science of Sunsets

June 12th, 2017|Comments Off on The Science of Sunsets

The Science of Sunsets 2017-06-12 12:30:15.000 - Julia Moreland, Summit Intern   Sunsets and sunrises are lovely phenomena indeed. The coming and going of the days and nights are incredible in it of themselves, but

The Strange Clouds of Mount Washington

June 9th, 2017|Comments Off on The Strange Clouds of Mount Washington

The Strange Clouds of Mount Washington 2017-06-09 17:10:14.000 - Margaret Jividen, Summit Intern   Any weather watcher, whether a professional or just someone who enjoys following along as an enthusiast, is familiar with the common

The Return of the Intern: My First Week Back

June 6th, 2017|Comments Off on The Return of the Intern: My First Week Back

The Return of the Intern: My First Week Back 2017-06-06 20:21:20.000 - Sam Webber, Summit Intern   In January of 2016, I had the privilege of coming up to the summit of Mount Washington as

Find Older Posts

Go to Top