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

206, 2014

Enjoying The Weather

adm_mwobs2014-06-02T18:06:14-04:00June 2nd, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Enjoying The Weather 2014-06-02 18:06:14.000 - Michael Kyle, Weather Observer NULL After several shifts of rocky unsettled weather on the summit, this week has finally broken that trend. For the past 48 hours the summit has been in the clear with no precipitation. Visibilities were reaching 85

106, 2014

Enjoying The Day

adm_mwobs2014-06-01T16:23:05-04:00June 1st, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Enjoying The Day 2014-06-01 16:23:05.000 - Brett Rossio, Summit Intern Looks Much Better! The summit is in full swing now with many filing up the Auto Road and even the COG Railway. We ended up with a beautiful day today with very few clouds. It's great to

3105, 2014

First Shift Week

adm_mwobs2014-05-31T14:42:44-04:00May 31st, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

First Shift Week 2014-05-31 14:42:44.000 - Ethan Wright, Summit Intern NULL I started my first shift as a summit intern on Wednesday and have spent the last few days learning the ropes of the Observatory. Needless to say, life here on the summit has been an adjustment

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