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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

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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408, 2014

Family Time

August 4th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Family Time 2014-08-04 22:17:12.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL It's been a very busy day on the summit! In between radio calls, giving tours, connecting with the Weather Discovery Center for Live from the Rockpile segments, taking hourly observations, performing daily data quality checks, and

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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

Spring Clean Up

April 18th, 2014|Comments Off on Spring Clean Up

Spring Clean Up 2014-04-18 16:04:11.000 - Michael Kyle,  Weather Observer NULL After a long winter season, this year spring has be warmly welcomed by everyone here on the summit of Mount Washington. The start of

The Great Spring Thaw Continues

April 17th, 2014|Comments Off on The Great Spring Thaw Continues

The Great Spring Thaw Continues 2014-04-17 19:11:27.000 - Tom Padham,  Weather Observer NULL After arriving back on the summit after a delayed shift change day, I'm amazed to see how much of the snow pack

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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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