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

1305, 2014

Cheers to our Volunteers

adm_mwobs2014-05-13T23:31:25-04:00May 13th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Cheers to our Volunteers 2014-05-13 23:31:25.000 - Kaitlyn O`Brien, Weather Observer/Education Specialist Volunteers Joe and John watching the sunset It was another beautiful day on the summit of Mount Washington! Winds were light and variable, temperatures were seasonably warm, and the sun was peeking through several cloud

1205, 2014

Spring is Here

adm_mwobs2014-05-12T20:01:51-04:00May 12th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Spring is Here 2014-05-12 20:01:51.000 - Mike Dorfman, Weather Observer A Raven Playing in the Wind After a brief hiatus from the summit, I enjoyed a beautiful ride up today on the Observatory's first trip of the season to the summit without chains. After getting used to

1105, 2014

Happy Mother’s Day

adm_mwobs2014-05-11T18:14:27-04:00May 11th, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Happy Mother's Day 2014-05-11 18:14:27.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Our reminder for today. When we work up here for a week at a time, the days sometimes meld together and it is sometimes easy to lose track of what day it actually is. It is tough

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Volunteer Comment

adm_mwobs2014-01-20T19:21:13-05:00January 20th, 2014|Comments Off on Volunteer Comment

Volunteer Comment 2014-01-20 19:21:13.000 - Neil Lovett, Summit Volunteer Sunrise color on the Northern Presidential's This is the third time I have volunteered a week at the Mt Washington Observatory. I've seen the most beautiful

Is It Snowing?

adm_mwobs2014-01-19T17:34:47-05:00January 19th, 2014|Comments Off on Is It Snowing?

Is It Snowing? 2014-01-19 17:34:47.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Snowflake caught on our snow board. When I am off the summit and in the valley, I determine it is snowing like almost everyone else

The Role Of An Observatory Leader

adm_mwobs2014-01-18T23:09:00-05:00January 18th, 2014|Comments Off on The Role Of An Observatory Leader

The Role Of An Observatory Leader 2014-01-18 23:09:00.000 - Will Broussard, Outreach Coordinator Each winter, Mount Washington Observatory leads several overnight EduTrips to the summit of Mount Washington. With topics ranging from mountaineering essentials to