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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

605, 2013

The Observatory heads to Western Alaska!

May 6th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Observatory heads to Western Alaska! 2013-05-06 17:48:47.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Cherfonak, Alaska! The Observatory's Distance Learning Program is excited to announce that we'll be reaching out to another notoriously harsh climate-- Alaska! For the first time in our program's history we'll be connecting

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505, 2013

Nighttime Photography on the Summit

May 5th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Nighttime Photography on the Summit 2013-05-05 17:06:20.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Weather Observer Observer Mike D. Poses for a Long Exposure Picture As a new night observer on the summit, I have quickly realized that the night sky and nighttime landscape, when visible, are an incredible sight. The

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405, 2013

Unusual, But In a Good Way!

May 4th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Unusual, But In a Good Way! 2013-05-04 20:45:46.000 - Tom Padham,  Summit Intern 100 mile visibility! Starting to notice the unusually long stretch of quiet weather? We certainly are here on the summit, with the past 8 days not seeing any precipitation. Looking at the forecast, it

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January Thaw Maxes Out

January 14th, 2013|Comments Off on January Thaw Maxes Out

January Thaw Maxes Out 2013-01-14 15:16:01.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL This year's January thaw has given Mt. Washington a new high mark.That mark is 48F--the highest temperature ever recorded in the month of

Programs Galore!

January 13th, 2013|Comments Off on Programs Galore!

Programs Galore! 2013-01-13 16:56:05.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Brian outside during a program! It's been a busy week up on the Rockpile, and for a moment we get a bit of a breather

Don’t Sweat It

January 12th, 2013|Comments Off on Don’t Sweat It

Don't Sweat It 2013-01-12 17:47:31.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist One of many puddles of water Weather is extremely variable by nature. Despite the calendar saying January, and our climate data telling us that 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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