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

503, 2016

Warmer Times Ahead!

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Warmer Times Ahead! 2016-03-05 11:57:42.000 - Andrew Henry, Summit Intern After the recent snow and cold weather to start the month, some of you may be asking when warmer weather will return to the White Mountains. The recent Arctic blast has been pretty impressive on the summit! This

303, 2016

Meteorological Spring has Sprung!

adm_mwobs2016-03-03T06:21:53-05:00March 3rd, 2016|Categories: Historical Posts|

Meteorological Spring has Sprung! 2016-03-03 06:21:53.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist Spring has sprung…well, sort of. When talking about spring, most out there are talking about the day that reads “FIRST DAY OF SPRING” on the calendar. This date refers to the astronomical season, which

2902, 2016

A New Look to My Shift

adm_mwobs2016-02-29T17:23:56-05:00February 29th, 2016|Categories: Historical Posts|

A New Look to My Shift 2016-02-29 17:23:56.000 - Mike Carmon, Co-Director of Summit Operations There's been a lot of change on the summit in recent weeks, which has essentially transformed my shift into a completely new look. Adam Gill, who started as a fall intern

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