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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

1711, 2014

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

November 17th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly 2014-11-17 17:25:59.000 - Michael Kyle, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   The Good When I started my shift early this morning the radar was showing snow across much of the state. With some heavy bands passing through much of Southern New Hampshire

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1611, 2014

Volunteer’s Comments

November 16th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Volunteer's Comments 2014-11-16 16:01:34.000 - Marcia Millard, Summit Volunteer   They say life is an adventure, and being up here on Mt Washington sure is! But let's just say, the crews from the Observatory and Mount Washington State Park are having a very interesting one. Lots of changes

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1511, 2014

Oh Hello Winter

November 15th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Oh Hello Winter 2014-11-15 14:56:25.000 - Caleb Meute, Summit Intern   Well, upsloping winds and persistent snow showers would pretty well define the last 24 hours. Yesterday it was looking like the skies would clear overnight and the summits would trend out of the fog. Yeah, that

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Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

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Thoughts from a Volunteer

July 30th, 2014|Comments Off on Thoughts from a Volunteer

Thoughts from a Volunteer 2014-07-30 18:26:15.000 - Aylmer H. Given III,  Summit Volunteer Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut It is quite an honor to spend a week volunteering with the Mount Washington Observatory staff.

Science in the Mountains: Forecasting Wind Gusts on the Summit

July 29th, 2014|Comments Off on Science in the Mountains: Forecasting Wind Gusts on the Summit

Science in the Mountains: Forecasting Wind Gusts on the Summit 2014-07-29 18:29:38.000 - Tom Padham,  Weather Observer NULL Our Science In the Mountains lecture series continues tomorrow at the Weather Discovery Center in North Conway,

First Time As A Summit Volunteer

July 28th, 2014|Comments Off on First Time As A Summit Volunteer

First Time As A Summit Volunteer 2014-07-28 18:31:28.000 - Rich Sullivan,  Summit Volunteer NULL To begin, I need to thank my wife and children for allowing me this time to fulfill my desire to spend

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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.

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