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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

612, 2012

First Trip of the Season

December 6th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

First Trip of the Season 2012-12-06 22:19:50.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Today kicked off the trip season on the summit with our first overnight. Eastern Mountain Sports rode to the summit today with various staff members to capture some pictures and footage for their

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612, 2012

Our Commute To Work

December 6th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Our Commute To Work 2012-12-06 00:23:00.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Truck & Van w/ chains was part of todays commute. If you work a typical 9 to 5 job, a commute is part of your daily routine. You wake up, get ready, and then head out

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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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Summer is Comming to an End

August 24th, 2012|Comments Off on Summer is Comming to an End

Summer is Comming to an End 2012-08-24 17:09:22.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL August is quickly coming to a close for us here on the Summit. When I return for my next shift

Hauling Clouds and Food

August 23rd, 2012|Comments Off on Hauling Clouds and Food

Hauling Clouds and Food 2012-08-23 15:11:50.000 - Eric Kelsey,  Director of Research NULL This morning's 40-50 mph winds were hauling thousands of tons of water up and over the summits. I took an early morning

Under Pressure

August 21st, 2012|Comments Off on Under Pressure

Under Pressure 2012-08-21 18:22:35.000 - Cyrena Briede,  Director of Summit Operations NULL If you read the forecast (available HERE) you will see the term "high pressure" mentioned when talking about the weather we are experiencing

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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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Did you know you can text ‘weather’ and ‘forecast’ to 603-356-2137 for current weather and conditions?
Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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