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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

708, 2014

Lightning Tidbit

August 7th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Lightning Tidbit 2014-08-07 19:18:27.000 - Brett Rossio,  Summit Intern NULL The day started with a quiet morning on the summit, but gave way to a busy start to the afternoon. A couple thunderstorms rolled through the summits, yielding some pea sized hail showers. Our shift leader, Mike

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608, 2014

The Week-On/Week-Off Lifestyle

August 6th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Week-On/Week-Off Lifestyle 2014-08-06 17:07:49.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Washington from Mt. Isolation Working as an observer on the summit of Mount Washington, life is far from any semblance of what most would consider 'normal.' There's the unique living environment, the not-so-typical commute, and then

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508, 2014

Wimpy Weather, but Wonderful Week

August 5th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Wimpy Weather, but Wonderful Week 2014-08-05 18:32:53.000 - Joshua P. Cohen,  Summit Volunteer NULL From July 30th through August 6th Tom Henell and I spent a fantastic week atop the Northeast's highest peak, volunteering for the Mount Washington Observatory. Having your temporary home at the summit of

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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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Our Fiscal Year-End Campaign

April 21st, 2014|Comments Off on Our Fiscal Year-End Campaign

Our Fiscal Year-End Campaign 2014-04-21 17:48:02.000 - Cara Rudio,  Director of Advancement NULL As you know, Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit institution, and we occasionally reach out to ask for your support. At the

Just Another Work Day

April 20th, 2014|Comments Off on Just Another Work Day

Just Another Work Day 2014-04-20 15:41:36.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL It's true, today is Easter Sunday. But up here at the Observatory's mountaintop facility, the summit staff mans a 24-hour, 365-day weather

Calm Winds on the Summit

April 19th, 2014|Comments Off on Calm Winds on the Summit

Calm Winds on the Summit 2014-04-19 16:29:52.000 - Samuel Hewitt,  Summit Intern NULL The summit of Mount Washington is well known for its weather extremes, especially its winds. The winds the observers experience on a

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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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