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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

302, 2014

Backcountry Awareness Talk

February 3rd, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Backcountry Awareness Talk 2014-02-03 18:01:17.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL One of my passions on the Summit is educating people. This Saturday, February 8th I get to take my experience as a Weather Observer from 6,288' to the valley. From 6pm to 8pm at the

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202, 2014

Presentations Both Near and Far

February 2nd, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

Presentations Both Near and Far 2014-02-02 16:37:08.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer MWObs at the AMS Annual Meeting The American Meteorological Society hosts a meeting every year in which weather scientists from across the country present research in the form of posters and lectures. With five posters

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102, 2014

What Do Groundhogs And Football Players Have In Common?

February 1st, 2014|Categories: Historical Posts|

What Do Groundhogs And Football Players Have In Common? 2014-02-01 16:32:18.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer & Education Specialist NULL What do groundhogs and football players have in common? February 2nd! Tomorrow is not only the Super Bowl, but Groundhog Day too. While two football teams are

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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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Summit Museum Demolition Begins!

October 14th, 2013|Comments Off on Summit Museum Demolition Begins!

Summit Museum Demolition Begins! 2013-10-14 10:38:51.000 - Will Broussard,  Outreach Coordinator NULL On Monday, October 7th, 5 members of the Appalachian Mountain Club's Construction Crew arrived for a week of disassembly and demolition of the

Princess Of The Mountain

October 13th, 2013|Comments Off on Princess Of The Mountain

Princess Of The Mountain 2013-10-13 17:32:03.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist My Protector In A Moat Of Clouds Working on the summit and being one of the few females, I frequently find myself as

Open Or Closed?

October 12th, 2013|Comments Off on Open Or Closed?

Open Or Closed? 2013-10-12 17:20:31.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist A guest this afternoon looks over a sea of clouds. Reading over our Facebook comments and emails, there seems to be some confusion concerning our

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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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