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

1307, 2012

Working at the Half-Way House

adm_mwobs2012-07-13T17:29:29-04:00July 13th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Working at the Half-Way House 2012-07-13 17:29:29.000 - Steve Harshman, Summit Intern Instruments on the Half-Way House Having almost two months under my belt as an intern, I've come to know the observatory pretty well. Through assisting in observations, giving tours, and just exploring the facility I've

1207, 2012

Summer Hiking Tips

adm_mwobs2012-07-12T23:49:22-04:00July 12th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Summer Hiking Tips 2012-07-12 23:49:22.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL With summer hiking season in full swing, and our annual Seek the Peak hike-a-thon coming up in a little over a week, it is quite prudent to discuss some important guidelines for those of you that

1107, 2012

Science in the Mountains Summer Lecture Series

adm_mwobs2012-07-11T14:18:03-04:00July 11th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Science in the Mountains Summer Lecture Series 2012-07-11 14:18:03.000 - Brian Clark, Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Science in the Mountains Summer Lecture Series presents Rebecca Scholand, Mount Washington Observatory weather observer and education specialist at 7 p.m. at our Weather Discovery Center, North Conway. What exactly is

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Comments from Volunteers

adm_mwobs2012-03-27T16:32:05-04:00March 27th, 2012|Comments Off on Comments from Volunteers

Comments from Volunteers 2012-03-27 16:32:05.000 - Connie & Werner Griesshammer, Summit Volunteers NULL This was our second time as volunteers. What a week it was up here! The weather put on quite an elaborate show

Marty’s Thoughts

adm_mwobs2012-03-26T17:11:59-04:00March 26th, 2012|Comments Off on Marty’s Thoughts

Marty's Thoughts 2012-03-26 17:11:59.000 - Marty, Summit Cat Purrfect Pillow Meow from the summit of Mount Washington!At 5PM on Monday, March, 26th, the summit was in the fog, and I still didn't care, because you

Weekly Weather Summary March 18-24

adm_mwobs2012-03-25T13:46:36-04:00March 25th, 2012|Comments Off on Weekly Weather Summary March 18-24

Weekly Weather Summary March 18-24 2012-03-25 13:46:36.000 - Rick Giard, Weather Observer / Education Specialist Weather Mar. 18-24 WEEKLY WEATHER SUMMARYMarch 18-24, 2012The big weather story this week was five days of record-setting high temperatures.