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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

1712, 2015

Wintry Weather Ahead!

December 17th, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

Wintry Weather Ahead! 2015-12-17 19:55:17.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   After a very warm and mild start to the winter season so far across the higher elevations of New England, we’re all anxious for more in the way of snow, cold, and the high winds that

1412, 2015

The Science Behind Kelvin Helmholtz Wave Clouds

December 14th, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Science Behind Kelvin Helmholtz Wave Clouds 2015-12-14 09:35:25.000 - Andrew Henry, Summit Intern   While we did not receive any #MWOMetMonday questions this week, one of our Facebook followers posted the following picture of some unusual clouds, wondering what they were.        The clouds

1212, 2015

Winter on the Summit?

December 12th, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

Winter on the Summit? 2015-12-12 17:06:51.000 - Michael Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Just like much of the valley, Mount-Washington-style winter has not yet enveloped the summit. Typically, we’re using the snow cat at least partway up the Auto Road at this point, but almost the entire

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SO MUCH TO EXPERIENCE!

April 15th, 2015|Comments Off on SO MUCH TO EXPERIENCE!

SO MUCH TO EXPERIENCE! 2015-04-15 08:21:09.000 - John Donovan, Summit Volunteer   When you step out of the Snow Cat upon arrival at Mount Washington Observatory the experiences start piling up. Driving almost vertically up

Ramblings from a Volunteer

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Sunny and Mild

April 13th, 2015|Comments Off on Sunny and Mild

Sunny and Mild 2015-04-13 06:28:12.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   If one had to summarize Monday in three words it would be “sunny and mild.” While these three words will be departing our

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