Temperature:      Wind Speed:      Gust:      Wind Chill:      Direction:    Switch to Metric

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

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

2312, 2012

The Night Before, The Night Before Christmas

December 23rd, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Night Before, The Night Before Christmas 2012-12-23 17:42:58.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Half of The Enterance Way Shoveled Twas the night before, the night before Christmas, when all through the Obs,Not an Observer was stirring, not even a mouse.The anemometer was de-iced on the

Read More
2312, 2012

I Lost My Way

December 23rd, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

I Lost My Way 2012-12-23 00:15:52.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist A summit map to help orient yourself. Sometimes it doesn't take much to lose your way. I'm not trying to be deep or metaphorical here, I mean literally, it doesn't take much to lose ones way.

Read More
2112, 2012

I experienced my second highest wind guests today

December 21st, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

I experienced my second highest wind guests today 2012-12-21 21:29:00.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Hays wind chart for December 21st We had another extreme weather day here on the Summit. We started off the day with temperatures in the teens with snow and fog, which

Read More

Share This Post

Support Us

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

We cannot do this without your support!

Volunteer Comments

September 4th, 2012|Comments Off on Volunteer Comments

Volunteer Comments 2012-09-04 23:03:17.000 - Arline France & Priscilla Simm,  Summit Volunteers Yes, it's time to hit the road. This is our seventh day on the mountain. We are sore from hiking to the Lakes

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

Find Older Posts

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.

© Copyright 2026 | Mount Washington Observatory | All Rights Reserved | 603-356-2137

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.

Go to Top