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

2710, 2012

We Need to Talk About Sandy

October 27th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

We Need to Talk About Sandy 2012-10-27 17:57:13.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Sandy et al from space earlier today. Reading through various status updates, comments, tweets, etc. about the upcoming storm, it seems that people are becoming more and more polarized in their opinions about what

Read More
2610, 2012

Another busy and exciting day on the rock pile

October 26th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Another busy and exciting day on the rock pile 2012-10-26 19:49:35.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist A view of the insides of the Hays Chart This morning started out with my normal routine of Observations and Daily Check where we take a second look at yesterday's

Read More
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

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!

55 mph Up Here vs. Down There

July 10th, 2012|Comments Off on 55 mph Up Here vs. Down There

55 mph Up Here vs. Down There 2012-07-10 16:53:56.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist This is what 55 mph looks like up here. It's Tuesday, which means tomorrow we will be heading home; something I

Tours on the Summit

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

Tours on the Summit 2012-07-08 18:38:35.000 - Christopher Gregg,  Summit Intern Chris and Marty in front of the weather wall. There are a number of tasks that myself and fellow intern, Adam Brainard, share during

Splashdown in Lakes of the Clouds

July 7th, 2012|Comments Off on Splashdown in Lakes of the Clouds

Splashdown in Lakes of the Clouds 2012-07-07 22:27:50.000 - Adam Brainard,  Summit Intern Our lake of choice six weeks before the swim There are times in life when you are compelled to do something simply

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