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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

1612, 2012

Precipitation Type Forecasting

December 16th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Precipitation Type Forecasting 2012-12-16 23:22:32.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Tuesday's Culprit Although forecasting is an enjoyable challenge for me, when it comes to matters such as precipitation type forecasting, things can get decidedly dicey. Even though computer models do reasonably well with predicting temperatures, a degree

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1512, 2012

Winter on the Way!

December 15th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 the Rockpile we've been seeing a taste since October. Lucky for us,

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1412, 2012

Shooting Stars

December 14th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Shooting Stars 2012-12-14 16:11:45.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL Yesterday evening we were treated to a great celestial 'firework' display as a major meteor shower occurred overhead. For once the fog stayed away, the sky was crystal clear and there was hardly any background light

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Right Place, Right Time

September 3rd, 2012|Comments Off on Right Place, Right Time

Right Place, Right Time 2012-09-03 16:30:13.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Sunrise this morning at the right place and time. I've heard it been said that luck is being in the right place at the

From one Brian to Another

September 2nd, 2012|Comments Off on From one Brian to Another

From one Brian to Another 2012-09-02 18:10:14.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Brian Clark hard at work on his last ObsCast A lot has changed since I left the summit in April, but here

I’ve got a couple of secrets I’m going to share

September 1st, 2012|Comments Off on I’ve got a couple of secrets I’m going to share

I've got a couple of secrets I'm going to share 2012-09-01 19:39:56.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Waiting for geographic Summit - Tower in the back Labor Day weekend is the last big weekend

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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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