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

adm_mwobs2013-01-06T20:03:00-05:00January 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

501, 2013

Winter has set in on the Summit

adm_mwobs2013-01-05T22:54:23-05:00January 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.

401, 2013

Mount Washington, Not So Inviting Today

adm_mwobs2013-01-04T17:48:15-05:00January 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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