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

1910, 2014

Be Prepared!

adm_mwobs2014-10-19T19:55:00-04:00October 19th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Be Prepared! 2014-10-19 19:55:00.000 - Michael Kyle, Weather Observer/IT Specialist To take a line from YouTube sensation Frankie MacDonald, Be Prepared! It is always important to be prepared while hiking, but with winter's grasp tightening on the summit of Mount Washington it is even more vital

1810, 2014

Wild Weather

adm_mwobs2014-10-18T17:35:00-04:00October 18th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Wild Weather 2014-10-18 17:35:00.000 - Caleb Meute, Summit Intern Every week up here I am exposed to a different type of weather extreme and it certainly keeps things interesting. On Thursday, the summit had 3.22 inches of rain dumped on it. The temperatures were in the

1710, 2014

Life as a Cat

adm_mwobs2014-10-17T17:43:00-04:00October 17th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Life as a Cat 2014-10-17 17:43:00.000 - Marty, Summit Cat So I took a trip down the mountain a couple of weeks ago to visit my doc. I haven't taken a trip down to the valley in a while. I forgot how there is 20% more

Previous 429430431 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

Rainbows, Sunsets, Twitter, and Tours

adm_mwobs2014-06-24T16:30:02-04:00June 24th, 2014|Comments Off on Rainbows, Sunsets, Twitter, and Tours

Rainbows, Sunsets, Twitter, and Tours 2014-06-24 16:30:02.000 - Caleb Meute, Summit Intern Amazing Sunset Well, call me a rainbow trout because I am officially hooked on this mountain. Speaking of rainbows, on the way to

Scientists and Watermelons

adm_mwobs2014-06-23T20:04:52-04:00June 23rd, 2014|Comments Off on Scientists and Watermelons

Scientists and Watermelons 2014-06-23 20:04:52.000 - Arielle Ahrens, Summit Intern Watermelon Aftermath Last night we exploded a watermelon. This is what happens when you have a bunch of scientists and an idea. During one of

Lightning Safety Awareness Week

adm_mwobs2014-06-22T19:36:07-04:00June 22nd, 2014|Comments Off on Lightning Safety Awareness Week

Lightning Safety Awareness Week 2014-06-22 19:36:07.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist The 'Lightning Position' demo. This week (June 22-28) is known in the weather community as Lightning Safety Awareness Week. Friday, I started this discussion