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

2705, 2026

Lots of Digging, but Never Enough

Ellen Estabrook2026-05-31T08:37:16-04:00May 27th, 2026|Categories: Observer Blog|

Lots of Digging, but Never Enough By Ryan Tanski Over the past four months, I had the privilege of working with the Mount Washington Avalanche Center and Mount Washington Observatory, deepening my understanding of mountain weather and the way that it shapes the surrounding backcountry terrain.

2605, 2026

Saying Goodbye to the Summit

Ellen Estabrook2026-05-26T11:09:54-04:00May 26th, 2026|Categories: Observer Blog|

Saying Goodbye to the Summit By Anna Trujillo It's hard to believe that my time on the summit is already coming to an end. Over the past several months I have learned so much as a forecaster, researcher, and scientist, all while getting to live in

2205, 2026

A Memorial Day Remembrance

Ellen Estabrook2026-05-22T11:51:21-04:00May 22nd, 2026|Categories: Observer Blog|

A Memorial Day Remembrance By Peter Crane, MWOBS Curator As we are about to commence the Memorial Day weekend, we should take time to recall four of "our own", previous weather observers on Mount Washington, soldiers who gave their lives in the service of their country.

Previous 234 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