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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

1509, 2017

Seeing the Many Faces of the Summit

September 15th, 2017|Categories: Historical Posts|

Seeing the Many Faces of the Summit 2017-09-15 14:36:59.000 - Greg Cornwell, Summit Intern   Mount Washington is not only home to the world’s most extreme weather; it also harbors extreme contrasts in weather. With just two shifts under my belt on the mountain, I’ve experienced two

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1309, 2017

Winds of Mt. Washington vs Hurricanes

September 13th, 2017|Categories: Historical Posts|

Winds of Mt. Washington vs Hurricanes 2017-09-13 10:34:23.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Working up here I have always been curious as to how our winds compare to that of hurricanes in regard to force. The summit and sea level have different atmospheric densities. So,

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1009, 2017

Walking In A Winter Wonderland…Almost

September 10th, 2017|Categories: Historical Posts|

Walking In A Winter Wonderland...Almost 2017-09-10 17:23:05.000 - Nicole Tallman, Summit Intern   With the changeover to meteorological fall comes the increased possibility for snow on the summit of Mount Washington. During my time on the summit as the summer intern I was able to truly experience

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Just Keep Shoveling

February 16th, 2017|Comments Off on Just Keep Shoveling

Just Keep Shoveling 2017-02-16 05:19:27.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   As I walked outside my home in Berlin (NH) Monday to start digging out from the storm earlier this week, I was confronted

Conducting Research at the Home of the World’s Worst Weather

February 14th, 2017|Comments Off on Conducting Research at the Home of the World’s Worst Weather

Conducting Research at the Home of the World's Worst Weather 2017-02-14 16:40:36.000 - Eric P. Kelsey, Ph.D., Director of Research   Every January, an undergraduate meteorology student from Plymouth State University is selected to be

The Snowy Winter Continues!

February 13th, 2017|Comments Off on The Snowy Winter Continues!

The Snowy Winter Continues! 2017-02-13 21:14:32.000 - Caleb Meute, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   Well things are beginning to wind down up here after a rather eventful 24 hours. As of our last precipitation can collection, snow

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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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