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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

3011, 2012

Winter on Mt Washington

November 30th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Winter on Mt Washington 2012-11-30 18:45:54.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Summit Intern Sunrise From the Summit Cone Living in New England, I have visited Mt Washington many times. One of my favorite trips up to the rockpile was last spring. Instead of celebrating the end to my undergraduate

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2911, 2012

Distance Learning in Mexico!

November 29th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Distance Learning in Mexico! 2012-11-29 17:26:24.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Brian explaining the Thermograph. Last month we were able to offer our first Distance Learning Program live from the summit of Mount Washington to Alberta, Canada. Today was another first for the Observatory's Education Outreach

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2811, 2012

Back in Action

November 28th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Back in Action 2012-11-28 23:40:37.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL After three weeks away from work, one can certainly gain a whole new perspective.I expected to return from vacation to a summit caked in rime ice and snow, with drifts towering over my head abounding, and

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Hiking to Spaulding Lake

August 13th, 2012|Comments Off on Hiking to Spaulding Lake

Hiking to Spaulding Lake 2012-08-13 12:23:45.000 - Steve Harshman,  Summit Intern Adams and Madison from the Lake This being my last week on the summit, I figured I needed something great to end on. Earlier

First to Last

August 12th, 2012|Comments Off on First to Last

First to Last 2012-08-12 17:08:30.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL This week has consisted of a few firsts and lasts. I began my week here on the summit with firsts. Wednesday, Thursday and

The Final

August 11th, 2012|Comments Off on The Final

The Final 2012-08-11 17:27:56.000 - Emanuel Janisch,  Summit Intern Cap Clouds over the Northern Presidentials The reality that my days as an intern here on the summit are numbered, are a sad thought. As I

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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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