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

1404, 2013

Vasque Overnight

adm_mwobs2013-04-14T16:34:50-04:00April 14th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Vasque Overnight 2013-04-14 16:34:50.000 - Rebecca Scholand, Weather Observer/Education Specialist Vasque Group On The Summit Saturday marked the last scheduled overnight trip of the winter season here on Mount Washington. The participants of this trip consisted of representatives from Vasque, our official footwear sponsor. Friday morning, the

1304, 2013

An Aurora Borealis for the U.S. But Not Us

adm_mwobs2013-04-13T23:43:20-04:00April 13th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

An Aurora Borealis for the U.S. But Not Us 2013-04-13 23:43:20.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Let me start by reminding everyone that I am a meteorologist which means I study weather, not space or meteors and I work and the Mount Washington Observatory which observers the

1204, 2013

Happy Big Wind Day

adm_mwobs2013-04-12T18:35:42-04:00April 12th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Happy Big Wind Day 2013-04-12 18:35:42.000 - Michael Kyle, Summit Intern Happy Big Wind Day Everyone! For those of you who aren't familiar with Big Wind Day, Big Wind Day is a day in honor of one of our most notable weather events. It was on this

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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!

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

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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