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

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

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

605, 2024

Intern Tricia’s Farewell and Research Recap

May 6th, 2024|Categories: Observer Blog|

Intern Tricia's Farewell and Research Recap By Tricia Hutton Summarizing my time on Mount Washington feels like an enormous task, but I'll try. The team at Mount Washington Observatory welcomed me into their lives only a few months ago, and now I cannot picture my life

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!

The Story Behind a Tumultuous Transition to Spring

May 27th, 2023|Comments Off on The Story Behind a Tumultuous Transition to Spring

The Story Behind a Tumultuous Transition to Spring Francis Tarasiewicz, Weather Observer & Education Specialist April ended on an active and destructive note for the summit and New England as a powerful area of

Mt Washington Summer Season 2023 Information

May 15th, 2023|Comments Off on Mt Washington Summer Season 2023 Information

Mt Washington Summer Season 2023 Information Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist With summer quickly approaching, you might be looking for information about the various entities on and around Mount Washington. So, below are some

Moon Illusion and Tonight’s Flower Moon

May 5th, 2023|Comments Off on Moon Illusion and Tonight’s Flower Moon

Moon Illusion and Tonight’s Flower Moon Hayden Pearson, Weather Observer & Research Specialist Going out to look at a full moon has always inspired an awe for me, especially when I’m able to catch

Find Older Posts

Go to Top