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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

2408, 2013

Lesson of the Day: Noctilucent Clouds

August 24th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Lesson of the Day: Noctilucent Clouds 2013-08-24 16:13:31.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Noctilucent clouds. Courtesy NASA. As a lover of science, weather, astronomy and nature I was immediately struck by a recent article posted on My Science Academy's website. Having failed to view any Aurora

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2308, 2013

Great Weather Weekend!

August 23rd, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Great Weather Weekend! 2013-08-23 17:35:52.000 - Tom Padham,  Summit Intern Not bad, but tomorrow will be better! After a chilly and not-so nice start to the day today, skies have cleared and the forecast is looking pretty picture perfect. The next few days look to be some

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2208, 2013

Last Fog-Free Day on the Summit: July 12th

August 22nd, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Last Fog-Free Day on the Summit: July 12th 2013-08-22 19:04:08.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer NULL Ever wonder how foggy it is up here on the summit? When comparing hours of fog to hours of clear weather, we're in the fog about 60 percent of the time!

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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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Thinkin’ of ya, Old Man.

May 2nd, 2013|Comments Off on Thinkin’ of ya, Old Man.

Thinkin' of ya, Old Man. 2013-05-02 17:29:39.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Cannon Cliff, where the Old Man once stood. Writing from the top of one truly New Hampshire institution to another, tomorrow marks

Thank you!

May 1st, 2013|Comments Off on Thank you!

Thank you! 2013-05-01 20:35:43.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer NULL First and foremost, thank you! Our year-end fundraising campaign was a success, raising more than $35,000 through over 400 individual donations. With over 80 years

Volunteer Week

April 30th, 2013|Comments Off on Volunteer Week

Volunteer Week 2013-04-30 14:52:45.000 - Steve Hill,  Summit Volunteer Skiing in the Snowfields This, like all my shifts as a Summit Volunteer, started with an early morning drive from Waterbury Center, Vermont, to the Auto

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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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Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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