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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

809, 2012

Good Morning From the Top of New England!

September 8th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Good Morning From the Top of New England! 2012-09-08 15:49:03.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Summit Intern NULL Welcome to a foggy day on top of the Rock Pile! Stepping outside this morning was a harsh reminder of the ever-changing weather on top of this mountain. Yesterday's clear skies

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709, 2012

Miss New Hampshire

September 7th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Miss New Hampshire 2012-09-07 17:25:50.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Back on the summit again and off to a great start to the week. Yesterday I had a very special visitor that was here to film a promotional video that will be featured on the

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609, 2012

Chase Community Giving Contest

September 6th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Chase Community Giving Contest 2012-09-06 09:06:50.000 - Scot Henley,  Executive Director NULL MWO Friends and Supporters,Today is a big day for the Observatory. It's the start of the Chase Community Giving contest, where we are competing with nonprofits from all across the nation for a share of

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The Commencement of Summer

May 19th, 2012|Comments Off on The Commencement of Summer

The Commencement of Summer 2012-05-19 23:21:59.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Dawn The sun rose at 5:08 am this morning, signaling the dawn of a new epoch.I'm alluding to the unofficial start of the summertime

First Week on The Summit

May 18th, 2012|Comments Off on First Week on The Summit

First Week on The Summit 2012-05-18 16:45:12.000 - Will Broussard,  Outreach Educator View out the Office Windows This was my first visit to New England's highest peak, and to the observatory hunkering bravely 6,288 feet

Lightning Show

May 18th, 2012|Comments Off on Lightning Show

Lightning Show 2012-05-18 00:01:44.000 - Samantha Brady,  Summit Museum Supervisor NULL As the new museum attendant for the summer, I started my shift a few days early. With that being said, I had the opportunity

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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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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.

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