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

1005, 2016

Warmer Days Ahead! At Least in the Near Term

adm_mwobs2016-05-10T07:21:48-04:00May 10th, 2016|Categories: Historical Posts|

Warmer Days Ahead! At Least in the Near Term 2016-05-10 07:21:48.000 - Adam Gill, Weather Observer/IT Specialist After a winter dominated by ridges and warm air advection in New England, spring has been fairly cool. We have been in a persistent trough with weak ridges building

705, 2016

Extraordinary Views to Total Darkness

adm_mwobs2016-05-07T12:54:41-04:00May 7th, 2016|Categories: Historical Posts|

Extraordinary Views to Total Darkness 2016-05-07 12:54:41.000 - Caleb Meute, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist My first week on the summit was a fond reminder of why I decided to return to work for the Mount Washington Observatory. On average, the summit of this mountain is shrouded in

505, 2016

Paw-don This Interruption

adm_mwobs2016-05-05T14:15:27-04:00May 5th, 2016|Categories: Historical Posts|

Paw-don This Interruption 2016-05-05 14:15:27.000 - Marty, Summit Cat With the distinct honor and privilege of being the Observatory's most distinguished and venerable staff member, I write to you with a belly full of scrumptious treats and a mind bursting with invaluable observations regarding high-altitude life

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