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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

1309, 2014

Common Aurora Questions Answered

September 13th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Common Aurora Questions Answered 2014-09-13 19:28:59.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Last night's Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) Last night we were treated to a short but beautiful display of the Northern Lights. As the event was occurring we posted an image to our Facebook feed and our

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1209, 2014

Beautiful Pictures From The Summit

September 12th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Beautiful Pictures From The Summit 2014-09-12 17:55:33.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Photo Stack of the Sunrise The last week has brought absolutely incredible weather. I woke up and took a glance out the Weather Room window, and it looked like winter! Not in the traditional

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1109, 2014

Volunteering for a Week

September 11th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Volunteering for a Week 2014-09-11 16:29:17.000 - Linda Gifford & Laura Dorfman,  Summit Volunteers NULL WOW! We have had a spectacular week up on the Rock Pile! As summit volunteers, we quickly forged friendships and bonded over the awe-inspiring experience! We cooked dinners for the meteorologists and

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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 the Museum

May 20th, 2014|Comments Off on Thoughts from the Museum

Thoughts from the Museum 2014-05-20 17:55:39.000 - Jan Berriochoa,  Summit Museum Attendant NULL It is an exciting time as I start my first summer shift week working in our Museum and Gift Shop. After volunteering

Winter’s Back!

May 19th, 2014|Comments Off on Winter’s Back!

Winter's Back! 2014-05-19 20:20:40.000 - Tom Padham,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Sunrise yesterday, note the lack of snow! After a balmy beginning to our week with temperatures climbing into the 50s, winter has made a return to

Exciting Experiences

May 18th, 2014|Comments Off on Exciting Experiences

Exciting Experiences 2014-05-18 15:05:17.000 - Brett Rossio,  Summit Intern Reaching for the Clouds Living for weather has a whole new meaning at the summit of Mount Washington. I grew up in the Great Lakes State

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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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