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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

203, 2013

Staying On The Summit

March 2nd, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Staying On The Summit 2013-03-02 23:07:59.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL There are a couple of good options if you'd like to spend an overnight on the summit of Mount Washington. There are the ever popular EduTrips with themes ranging from Weather Basics to Photography.

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103, 2013

The Journey Is A Destination

March 1st, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Journey Is A Destination 2013-03-01 19:37:09.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist 5.4 miles away from my second home. This past week, I got to hang out with a former Observatory coworker of mine, Jim Salge. Long time followers of the Observer Comments will know this name

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2802, 2013

Cold Snap Coming To The Southeast

February 28th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Cold Snap Coming To The Southeast 2013-02-28 18:13:08.000 - Michael Kyle,  Summit Intern Graphic Courtesy Of The Nation Weather Service The Northeast is accustomed to the cold temperatures of winter and so far this season we have seen our fair share of cold days. In just the

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Snow and Freezing Fog

November 3rd, 2012|Comments Off on Snow and Freezing Fog

Snow and Freezing Fog 2012-11-03 15:34:08.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist After all the rain and wind from "Sandy" the last few days have been far less eventful. We went into the fog soon

Mount Washington in Alberta, Canada?

November 1st, 2012|Comments Off on Mount Washington in Alberta, Canada?

Mount Washington in Alberta, Canada? 2012-11-01 17:34:19.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Our Polycom Camera brings the summit to Canada! Today marks the first Distance Learning Program of the new school year, and the

Windy Weather on the Summit

October 31st, 2012|Comments Off on Windy Weather on the Summit

Windy Weather on the Summit 2012-10-31 18:58:42.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Summit Intern Splintered wood from a sign on the summit. As many of you know, there are two shifts that rotate working as summit crew.

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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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Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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