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

1410, 2012

The Darkness Cometh

adm_mwobs2012-10-14T20:56:12-04:00October 14th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Darkness Cometh 2012-10-14 20:56:12.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist A typical week on the summit has a crew that consists of three weather Observers, an intern and one to two volunteers (FYI - in the summer, we gain one additional intern and a museum attendant). Among

1310, 2012

New Daily Record Low

adm_mwobs2012-10-13T19:07:00-04:00October 13th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

New Daily Record Low 2012-10-13 19:07:00.000 - Roger Pushor, Weather Observer/IT Specialist Daily Record Low of 7.4 degrees Early on the morning of Saturday October 13th, we set a new Daily Record Low for this day of 7 degrees. The previous Daily Record Low was 8 degrees.

1210, 2012

Technology. Can’t live with it. Can’t live without it.

adm_mwobs2012-10-12T18:12:24-04:00October 12th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Technology. Can't live with it. Can't live without it. 2012-10-12 18:12:24.000 - Brian Fitzgerald, Weather Observer/Education Specialist Confused yet? So am I. Up high at the Mount Washington Observatory we are surrounded by all forms of technology- some forms simple, while some forms are a bit more

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