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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

2607, 2013

Enjoy Summer While it Lasts!

July 26th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Enjoy Summer While it Lasts! 2013-07-26 17:07:48.000 - Tom Padham,  Summit Intern Sunset and Undercast on Wednesday After two relatively nice days, (and two beautiful sunsets in a row) we've returned back to foggy conditions on the summit. A coastal system is passing by to our east,

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2507, 2013

Seek the Peak ’13 Recap

July 25th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Seek the Peak '13 Recap 2013-07-25 14:54:03.000 - Cara Rudio,  Director of Advancement STP '13 Despite an ominous forecast predicting hurricane-force winds, severe thunderstorms and hail, an estimated 400 hikers and their families came out for Mount Washington Observatory's 13th annual Seek the Peak hike-a-thon July 19-21.

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2407, 2013

ATTENTION: ALL SCIENCE LOVERS!

July 24th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

ATTENTION: ALL SCIENCE LOVERS! 2013-07-24 14:22:36.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist An Osprey In Flight. Tonight (Wednesday) at our free Weather Discovery Center in North Conway Village at 7PM marks the second program in our annual free series 'Science in the Mountains: A Passport to Science.'

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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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Up-And-Down Week

April 8th, 2013|Comments Off on Up-And-Down Week

Up-And-Down Week 2013-04-08 14:39:09.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Wavy Clouds on Sunday Morning We've had some fairly up-and-down weather this shift.When we arrived (a day late, no dollars short) on Thursday, the summit was

T-Shirt Weather on Mount Washington Is Not Quite Here

April 7th, 2013|Comments Off on T-Shirt Weather on Mount Washington Is Not Quite Here

T-Shirt Weather on Mount Washington Is Not Quite Here 2013-04-07 17:36:35.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer NULL After a brief hike over to Clay today (for those of you not familiar, it's about a 2.5

From one friend to another.

April 6th, 2013|Comments Off on From one friend to another.

From one friend to another. 2013-04-06 13:33:12.000 - Charlie Hawkins,  Summit Volunteer Friends This is my third time volunteering on the summit. The first two times were with my best friend Brad Bradstreet. Brad always

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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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