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

1303, 2013

Summit Side-Wheeler

adm_mwobs2013-03-13T23:16:49-04:00March 13th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Summit Side-Wheeler 2013-03-13 23:16:49.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Some waterlogged snow ahead of us this morning. Earlier today, we got to take a paddle steamer to the summit. Alright, not literally, but it certainly felt that way. The warm temperatures from the past few days along

1203, 2013

Follow the Maze of Precip

adm_mwobs2013-03-12T22:45:06-04:00March 12th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Follow the Maze of Precip 2013-03-12 22:45:06.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL What an entertaining Tuesday it's been!While forecasting this morning, computer models were advertising temperatures hovering right around the freezing point today on the summit. These temperatures are particularly difficult to forecast for, especially when

1103, 2013

Mount Washington Tanning Salon?

adm_mwobs2013-03-11T16:48:51-04:00March 11th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Mount Washington Tanning Salon? 2013-03-11 16:48:51.000 - Mike Dorfman, Summit Intern Rime Covers the Stage Office on the Summit Although this week's weather started off under the influence of a coastal storm that dropped over 2 feet of snow in the Boston area, it seemed as if

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