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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

1403, 2013

Winter Does Not Want To End

March 14th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Winter Does Not Want To End 2013-03-14 18:57:09.000 - Michael Kyle,  Summit Intern NULL After last weekend's beautiful weather condition many of us in the White Mountain region are looking forward to the spring season. Unfortunately the weather models are showing Old Man Winter doesn't want winter

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1303, 2013

Summit Side-Wheeler

March 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

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1203, 2013

Follow the Maze of Precip

March 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

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Where has the Wind Gone

November 15th, 2012|Comments Off on Where has the Wind Gone

Where has the Wind Gone 2012-11-15 22:39:11.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL The past 24 hours has been one of the calmest periods I can remember up here - the average wind speed

And Now, For The Rest of the Story

November 14th, 2012|Comments Off on And Now, For The Rest of the Story

And Now, For The Rest of the Story 2012-11-14 20:04:28.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Aurora Borealis Awesome! Spectacular! Stunning! Pretty! Green! - These might sound like the words overheard between Kermit the Frog and

‘The Observers’ Film By Jacqueline Goss

November 13th, 2012|Comments Off on ‘The Observers’ Film By Jacqueline Goss

'The Observers' Film By Jacqueline Goss 2012-11-13 19:01:38.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Two winters ago I was an Intern on the Summit when Jacqueline Goss was filming for the movie The Observers.

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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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