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

1112, 2012

Week on the Summit

adm_mwobs2012-12-11T22:05:49-05:00December 11th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Week on the Summit 2012-12-11 22:05:49.000 - Abby Blackburn, Director of Summit Operations Sunrise on the Summit It's been two years since our last volunteer operation on the Rockpile and it was good to be back. Lots of new faces, interesting people with fascinating lives to share

1112, 2012

Wishing for Snow

adm_mwobs2012-12-11T00:36:31-05:00December 11th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Wishing for Snow 2012-12-11 00:36:31.000 - Rebecca Scholand, Weather Observer/Education Specialist Giving Mother Nature a Jolly Hint for Snow Today has been anything but winter weather. I woke to snow but the warming temperatures quickly changed it to freezing rain, then rain. With the snow on the

912, 2012

All Things Come to an End

adm_mwobs2012-12-09T17:50:33-05:00December 9th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

All Things Come to an End 2012-12-09 17:50:33.000 - Stephen Lanciani, Summit Intern A sample of my experiences Time flies when you're living on a mountain, that's how it goes...right? The time has come for me to say my goodbyes to the summit, as I have reached

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Volunteer Thoughts

adm_mwobs2012-08-28T18:27:16-04:00August 28th, 2012|Comments Off on Volunteer Thoughts

Volunteer Thoughts 2012-08-28 18:27:16.000 - Faye Doria & Mark Stevens, Summit Volunteers NULL A few years ago, I met a hiker on a trail who had just finished a week as a MWOBS summit volunteer.

Touring the Observatory

adm_mwobs2012-08-27T19:20:27-04:00August 27th, 2012|Comments Off on Touring the Observatory

Touring the Observatory 2012-08-27 19:20:27.000 - Cyrena Briede, Director of Summit Operations NULL One of my favorite parts of this job so far has been the ability to give tours to our visiting Observatory Members.

Fall Preview?

adm_mwobs2012-08-26T18:37:03-04:00August 26th, 2012|Comments Off on Fall Preview?

Fall Preview? 2012-08-26 18:37:03.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Saturday Sunset Summertime has it's advantages: warmer temperatures, longer days, and generally more placid weather. I have always loved summer, on the summit or in the