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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

2610, 2014

Snowy Sunday

October 26th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Snowy Sunday 2014-10-26 19:18:00.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   This area of low pressure has brought some snow accumulation to the summit! Since yesterday, we've received just over an inch of snow, as well as plenty of rime ice. It certainly feels like a winter

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2510, 2014

Exciting Times on the Summit

October 25th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Exciting Times on the Summit 2014-10-25 18:40:00.000 - Mike Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist   The last few days have been exciting!When we arrived at the summit on Wednesday, it was a winter wonderland!We received over an inch of liquid equivalent Wednesday through Thursday.With temperatures hovering right around

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2410, 2014

Ice, Ice, Baby

October 24th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Ice, Ice, Baby 2014-10-24 19:16:00.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist   The coastal low that brought rain to most (if not all of) New England the past few days was originally projected to bring mostly rain to the summit as well.However, a full on rain event on

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Back on Board

July 10th, 2014|Comments Off on Back on Board

Back on Board 2014-07-10 17:52:26.000 - Ethan Wright,  Summit Intern NULL Everybody on our current shift is getting back into the routine of life on the mountain. Last night a cold front passed over the

Thanks for the Unique Experience!

July 9th, 2014|Comments Off on Thanks for the Unique Experience!

Thanks for the Unique Experience! 2014-07-09 09:12:59.000 - Liz Hryniewich,  Summit Volunteer NULL This week was a combination of hanging out, cooking, hiking, and watching the weather people. Most of the staff at the Mount

My Volunteer Week on the Summit

July 8th, 2014|Comments Off on My Volunteer Week on the Summit

My Volunteer Week on the Summit 2014-07-08 16:23:20.000 - Candice Huber,  Summit Volunteer NULL For 35 years I've enjoyed hiking in the White Mountains and recently I learned of the volunteer opportunities, here at the

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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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Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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