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

3007, 2013

Mt. Washington: The Epitome of New England’s Variable Weather

adm_mwobs2013-07-30T15:34:25-04:00July 30th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Mt. Washington: The Epitome of New England's Variable Weather 2013-07-30 15:34:25.000 - Matthew Cann, Summit Intern Clear View vs. Fog View New England is known for it's variability in weather; how the region can see all four seasons in a matter of days. For instance, a typical

2907, 2013

Undercast at Sunset

adm_mwobs2013-07-29T15:44:06-04:00July 29th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Undercast at Sunset 2013-07-29 15:44:06.000 - Luke Davis, Summit Intern Ocean of Clouds It's been another eventful week on the rockpile. Arriving at the base last Wednesday, at 8 A.M. and after 5 hours of driving, I was as tired as ever. We were socked in by

2707, 2013

Making Decisions in the Backcountry

adm_mwobs2013-07-27T18:11:26-04:00July 27th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Making Decisions in the Backcountry 2013-07-27 18:11:26.000 - Mike Dorfman, Weather Observer NULL After taking an AIRE Avalanche I class this winter, some of the most important material I learned wasn't about avalanches themselves but rather decision making in the backcountry. Sometimes weather changes slowly and there

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