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

106, 2015

Stormy End to May, Wintry Start to June!

adm_mwobs2015-06-01T17:47:18-04:00June 1st, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

Stormy End to May, Wintry Start to June! 2015-06-01 17:47:18.000 - Tom Padham, Weather Observer/Meteorologist The past few days have seen some pretty wild weather on the summit, with heavy rain and thunderstorms giving way to a brief taste of winter to start off the month

3005, 2015

When will all the snow melt from the White Mountains?

adm_mwobs2015-05-30T17:17:55-04:00May 30th, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

When will all the snow melt from the White Mountains? 2015-05-30 17:17:55.000 - Michael Kyle, Weather Observer/IT Specialist With the passing of Memorial Day we can say that the summer season has unofficially begun. After the brutally cold and snowy winter we had this year it

2905, 2015

First Days at the Castle in the Clouds

adm_mwobs2015-05-29T17:05:38-04:00May 29th, 2015|Categories: Historical Posts|

First Days at the Castle in the Clouds 2015-05-29 17:05:38.000 - Thailynn Munroe, Summit Intern So far, my time in New Hampshire has been nothing short of incredible and full of surprises. Most people never see moose while they’re visiting, and I’ve spoken to a few

Previous 352353354 Next

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!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW