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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

2510, 2012

Don’t Take Technology for Granted

October 25th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Don't Take Technology for Granted 2012-10-25 17:35:24.000 - Stephen Lanciani,  Summit Intern Finally, we have power again! State Park has been replacing a major electrical sub-system, which required them to place necessities (weather instruments and the like) on temporary power and cut the juice to the rest

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2410, 2012

Back From Vacation

October 24th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Back From Vacation 2012-10-24 18:59:16.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Well I am back on the summit after my vacation and ready for winter. The past few weeks I have been calling Long Island home where I have been relaxing. Although my definition of relaxing

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2310, 2012

My Stay at MWO: A Volunteer’s Perspective

October 23rd, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

My Stay at MWO: A Volunteer's Perspective 2012-10-23 17:31:49.000 - Brad Chapin,  Summit Volunteer NULL Finishing my 3rd tour of duty as a volunteer on the summit of Mt. Washington with the Observatory, I'm frequently asked, why? Why tolerate the nasty weather, the many fix-it jobs, and

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July 8th, 2012|Comments Off on Tours on the Summit

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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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