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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

601, 2013

The Night Observer Shovels

January 6th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Night Observer Shovels 2013-01-06 20:03:00.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Saturdays Sunset Shoveling is typically an intern/day shift duty, so working the night shifts, I don't often get the opportunity to help out on this task. This week however, I got an opportunity to take up

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501, 2013

Winter has set in on the Summit

January 5th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Winter has set in on the Summit 2013-01-05 22:54:23.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL After an absolutely incredible Snow Cat ride up the mountain on Thursday, the weather turned back to cold, foggy, and windy for Friday and much of the first part of today.

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401, 2013

Mount Washington, Not So Inviting Today

January 4th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Mount Washington, Not So Inviting Today 2013-01-04 17:48:15.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Some days the mountain is not welcoming to guests. Today an Eastern Mountain Sports climbing trip was scheduled to hike up and spend the night with us on one of our Partner

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Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

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Predicting Weather From the Clouds

September 21st, 2012|Comments Off on Predicting Weather From the Clouds

Predicting Weather From the Clouds 2012-09-21 19:46:42.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Summit Intern NULL Many hikers coming out to the White Mountains have the opportunity to check weather reports on a daily basis thanks to the

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September 20th, 2012|Comments Off on Circus Vs. Observer

Circus Vs. Observer 2012-09-20 19:56:15.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Can you spot the three modes of transportation? Last night the temperature on the Summit reached 27 degrees and I woke to frost covering

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September 19th, 2012|Comments Off on Night Lights

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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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