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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

907, 2014

Thanks for the Unique Experience!

July 9th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 Washington Observatory are meteorologists. The worse the weather the more excited people

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807, 2014

My Volunteer Week on the Summit

July 8th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 Mount Washington Observatory. Now I find myself wrapping up a week during

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707, 2014

Science In The Mountains 2014 Schedule

July 7th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Science In The Mountains 2014 Schedule 2014-07-07 18:28:58.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Through the lens: This mornings sunrise. Observer Note: Our Current Summit Conditions page will be undergoing maintenance and may be periodically displaying erroneous data or become unavailable. Until the page is fully restored, hourly

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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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Spring Events

March 19th, 2014|Comments Off on Spring Events

Spring Events 2014-03-19 21:45:38.000 - Tom Padham,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL Although it may not feel like it today with snow and a wintry mix falling across northern New England, spring is still just around the

Cold But Clear

March 17th, 2014|Comments Off on Cold But Clear

Cold But Clear 2014-03-17 19:36:21.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer NULL Yet another beautiful day on the Rock-pile! With visibility at 120 miles for much of the day, we were able to see five states

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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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Did you know you can text ‘weather’ and ‘forecast’ to 603-356-2137 for current weather and conditions?
Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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