Temperature:      Wind Speed:      Gust:      Wind Chill:      Direction:    Switch to Metric

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

Mount Washington Observatory

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

207, 2015

Reminiscing on Good Memories

July 2nd, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

Reminiscing on Good Memories 2015-07-02 16:25:32.000 - Charlie and Jeanine Kinney, Summit Volunteers   It is now July and the last day of our first summer week volunteering here in several years. A mere two days to go until a significant day in our history. We have

Read More
2306, 2015

Aurora on the Summit

June 23rd, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

Aurora on the Summit 2015-06-23 17:31:29.000 - Michael Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   Last night’s show was absolutely incredible. While we don’t forecast aurora events here on the summit, we were waiting in anticipation for a good chance of seeing an aurora if we cleared. We were

Read More
2006, 2015

A Busy Weekend

June 20th, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Busy Weekend 2015-06-20 18:10:14.000 - Kaitlyn O'Brien, Co-Director of Summit Operations   What a perfect day for the Mount Washington Road Race! Year after year it’s still amazing to watch these individuals challenge themselves to the 7.6 mile hillclimb to the summit. This year, the fastest

Read More

Share This Post

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!

Another Week on the Summit

February 11th, 2015|Comments Off on Another Week on the Summit

Another Week on the Summit 2015-02-11 20:36:17.000 - Mike Zlogar, Summit Volunteer   This is my tenth volunteer shift at the summit. Each shift brings new experiences. Weather patterns, storms, clouds, and the way the

Where Do You Find a Sledding Hill On the Summit of Mount Washington?

February 10th, 2015|Comments Off on Where Do You Find a Sledding Hill On the Summit of Mount Washington?

Where Do You Find a Sledding Hill On the Summit of Mount Washington? 2015-02-10 17:45:38.000 - Michael Kyle, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   This past Christmas a volunteer and member of the Mount Washington Observatory donated/

A Very Snowy Start to February

February 9th, 2015|Comments Off on A Very Snowy Start to February

A Very Snowy Start to February 2015-02-09 17:57:57.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   Holy snow! A very active weather pattern will finally give New England a break Tuesday, but only after dropping nearly a

Find Older Posts

Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region. Our weather station is located  on the summit of Mount Washington  in New Hampshire, at Mount Washington State Park.

© Copyright 2026 | Mount Washington Observatory | All Rights Reserved | 603-356-2137

Did you know you can text ‘weather’ and ‘forecast’ to 603-356-2137 for current weather and conditions?
Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

Go to Top