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

606, 2013

Taking Advantage of Todays Weather

adm_mwobs2013-06-06T16:26:36-04:00June 6th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Taking Advantage of Todays Weather 2013-06-06 16:26:36.000 - Cyrena Briede, Director of Summit Operations IT Manager, Pete, working on the tower today. During our weekly weather briefing at shift change yesterday, we discussed the forecast and knew Wednesday was likely going to be the best day the

506, 2013

The Flow of Things

adm_mwobs2013-06-05T23:52:07-04:00June 5th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Flow of Things 2013-06-05 23:52:07.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Some color this evening. It feels odd returning to my routine of drinking coffee at 11 pm at night so I can make it through the night shift. Working nights for me is nothing new; however,

406, 2013

Still Icy Here on the Summit

adm_mwobs2013-06-04T17:24:22-04:00June 4th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Still Icy Here on the Summit 2013-06-04 17:24:22.000 - Mike Dorfman, Weather Observer A View of the Rime Ice from Foot Level After breaking the daily record high temperature for June 1st and tying the daily high for June 2nd, I was starting to get used to

Previous 575576577 Next

Support Us

Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

We cannot do this without your support!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW

Data Is Golden

adm_mwobs2013-02-15T18:14:55-05:00February 15th, 2013|Comments Off on Data Is Golden

Data Is Golden 2013-02-15 18:14:55.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL Prior to working at the Mount Washington Observatory, I held jobs that dealt with Forensic Meteorology and Research Meteorology. A Forensic Meteorologist is someone

Happy Valentines Day!

adm_mwobs2013-02-14T17:36:51-05:00February 14th, 2013|Comments Off on Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day! 2013-02-14 17:36:51.000 - Marty, Summit Cat Happy Valentines Day! Meow from the summit of New England. Not only has today been a purrrfect day on the summit with a beautiful undercast, but

A Week of First’s and Q&A

adm_mwobs2013-02-13T21:01:13-05:00February 13th, 2013|Comments Off on A Week of First’s and Q&A

A Week of First's and Q&A 2013-02-13 21:01:13.000 - Susanne Laundry, Summit Volunteer NULL Having completed two prior volunteer weeks it was time to try a winter week. With a great deal of excitement and