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

2806, 2017

Life In and Out of the Clouds

adm_mwobs2017-06-28T06:36:20-04:00June 28th, 2017|Categories: Historical Posts|

Life In and Out of the Clouds 2017-06-28 06:36:20.000 - Elizabeth Perry, Summit Intern One of the most striking things about living on the summit of Mount Washington and observing the weather has been noticing how quickly weather can change up here, and the ubiquitousness of

2706, 2017

Under Pressure

adm_mwobs2017-06-27T16:11:48-04:00June 27th, 2017|Categories: Historical Posts|

Under Pressure 2017-06-27 16:11:48.000 - Taylor Regan, Weather Observer At the Mount Washington Observatory, there are quite a few instruments we employ during our hourly weather observations to help us interpret and report the conditions on the summit. The barograph is one such tool, which is

2606, 2017

The Climb to the Clouds

adm_mwobs2017-06-26T11:29:47-04:00June 26th, 2017|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Climb to the Clouds 2017-06-26 11:29:47.000 - Margaret Jividen, Summit Intern There are many things people associate with Mount Washington: terrible weather, the great views, and science. Not only does the summit claim the title of tallest point in New England, but the mountain is

Previous 246247248 Next

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!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW