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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

1409, 2012

Why Are We Hounding You?

September 14th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Why Are We Hounding You? 2012-09-14 17:17:02.000 - Cara Rudio,  Marketing and Communications Manager We need your help! As you know from our website, emails, and Facebook posts, the Observatory is currently competing in the 2012 Chase Community Giving contest.What you might not know is why an

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1209, 2012

What a Difference a Day Makes

September 12th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

What a Difference a Day Makes 2012-09-12 23:17:28.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist A haze-free sunset this afternoon. When we arrived on the summit today for shift change, the horizon was muddled with a milky white haze to the east and a brownish-red haze in all our

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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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Quite the quiet hike

May 25th, 2012|Comments Off on Quite the quiet hike

Quite the quiet hike 2012-05-25 18:34:36.000 - Christopher Gregg,  Summit Intern View of the summit from Lakes of the Clouds The start of my second shift on Mount Washington has proved to be interesting. Starting

An unfortunate first

May 25th, 2012|Comments Off on An unfortunate first

An unfortunate first 2012-05-25 00:57:40.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist I've discovered over the last (nearly) five years of working full time on the summit that, just when I think I've seen everything, something

A ‘Shift’ from Winter to Summer.

May 23rd, 2012|Comments Off on A ‘Shift’ from Winter to Summer.

A 'Shift' from Winter to Summer. 2012-05-23 20:39:12.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Sunset on a summer-esque day (today). When we came up to start our last shift on May 9th, it was still cold

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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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