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

1004, 2013

Today Felt Just Right

adm_mwobs2013-04-10T23:23:17-04:00April 10th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Today Felt Just Right 2013-04-10 23:23:17.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Transitions of Spring. Scrolling through my Facebook news feed today, it seemed like everyone had something to say about the weather. If my friends/family were in the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast/Southwest US it was too hot, if they were

904, 2013

Redundant Redundancy

adm_mwobs2013-04-09T17:38:49-04:00April 9th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Redundant Redundancy 2013-04-09 17:38:49.000 - Brian Fitzgerald, Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL As you might imagine, it's extremely important for our weather station to constantly record quality data. Here at the Mount Washington Observatory we have numerous strategies for ensuring quality and consistent data which as you might

804, 2013

Up-And-Down Week

adm_mwobs2013-04-08T14:39:09-04:00April 8th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 fully in the clear, with temperatures about normal (mid to upper teens),

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adm_mwobs2012-12-17T14:37:44-05:00December 17th, 2012|Comments Off on Love our forecasts and webcams? Show us some love in return!

Love our forecasts and webcams? Show us some love in return! 2012-12-17 14:37:44.000 - Abby Blackburn, Membership & Events Coordinator Our gift to you for your support! We're a nonprofit, member-supported institution, and we need

Precipitation Type Forecasting

adm_mwobs2012-12-16T23:22:32-05:00December 16th, 2012|Comments Off on Precipitation Type Forecasting

Precipitation Type Forecasting 2012-12-16 23:22:32.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Tuesday's Culprit Although forecasting is an enjoyable challenge for me, when it comes to matters such as precipitation type forecasting, things can get decidedly dicey.

Winter on the Way!

adm_mwobs2012-12-15T17:44:55-05:00December 15th, 2012|Comments Off on Winter on the Way!

Winter on the Way! 2012-12-15 17:44:55.000 - Brian Fitzgerald, Weather Observer/Education Specialist Winter Storm Watch ares in blue. Courtesy NWS. Winter doesn't officially begin in the Northern Hemisphere until Friday the 21st-- though here on