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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

811, 2012

Intern/Meteorologist/Chef?

November 8th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Intern/Meteorologist/Chef? 2012-11-08 22:30:27.000 - Stephen Lanciani,  Summit Intern The philosophy of the Observatory kitchen As we begin to enter the winter season here on the summit, many changes begin to take place not only with the weather, but also with staffing at the Observatory. Our weekly staff

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711, 2012

From No Snow to More Snow

November 7th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

From No Snow to More Snow 2012-11-07 23:48:07.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist A winter-esque Adams and Madison this morning. It never ceases to amaze me how different the weather and scenery can be in just a weeks' time. Last week when my shift headed down, Hurricane/Super-storm

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611, 2012

Vasque Boot Testing- The Arrowhead Prototype

November 6th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Vasque Boot Testing- The Arrowhead Prototype 2012-11-06 18:26:10.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist The full test line-up! It's always a good day when you're tasked with testing out new gear. One of our newest sponsors, Vasque, has graciously given us five pairs of boots and shoes

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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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Seek the Peak – An overwhelming success

July 22nd, 2012|Comments Off on Seek the Peak – An overwhelming success

Seek the Peak - An overwhelming success 2012-07-22 18:29:45.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Ken gets a few gifts for a little fun in the sun Yesterday was the climax of many months of

What Seek the Peak Means to Me

July 21st, 2012|Comments Off on What Seek the Peak Means to Me

What Seek the Peak Means to Me 2012-07-21 18:21:35.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist A collage of some of the scenes from the day. Today is July 21st, which is this year's date for our

Twas the Night Before Seek

July 20th, 2012|Comments Off on Twas the Night Before Seek

Twas the Night Before Seek 2012-07-20 18:38:51.000 - Adam Brainard,  Summit Intern Seek the Peak is Tomorrow! Twas the night before Seek and across the great peakthe day shift was quiet and soon fast-asleep.The instruments

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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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