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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

2007, 2012

Twas the Night Before Seek

July 20th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Twas the Night Before Seek 2012-07-20 18:38:51.000 - Adam Brainard,  Summit Intern Seek the Peak is Tomorrow! Twas the night before Seek and across the great peakthe day shift was quiet and soon fast-asleep.The instruments were hung very safe in their nooksready for guests with inquisitive looks.Volunteers

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1907, 2012

Variable visibility?

July 19th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Variable visibility? 2012-07-19 18:20:48.000 - Christopher Gregg,  Summit Intern Mont Ham and Killington. Over the past few weeks I have found myself enamored with the view around the summit of Mount Washington. I've had to opportunity to be able to familiarize myself with the surrounding peaks and

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1807, 2012

A Volunteers Reflections

July 18th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Volunteers Reflections 2012-07-18 23:20:34.000 - Beth Daniels,  Summit Volunteer The view to our south. Top of Mount Washington for a week, what a treat! I was lucky to spend a week on the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi and north of the Carolina's, cooking, doing

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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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April Fools Day!

April 1st, 2012|Comments Off on April Fools Day!

April Fools Day! 2012-04-01 18:35:32.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Operations Assistant Discovery in the Snow Last shift I wrote about the strange warm weather that broke daily records for five days strait. This week, although it

Light Pillars Over Berlin Last Night

March 31st, 2012|Comments Off on Light Pillars Over Berlin Last Night

Light Pillars Over Berlin Last Night 2012-03-31 19:33:58.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Light Pillars over Berlin, NH last night. Working nights up here, I'm not usually easily scared...Nope, that's not right...Working nights up here,

Spring is just over the Horizon

March 30th, 2012|Comments Off on Spring is just over the Horizon

Spring is just over the Horizon 2012-03-30 19:55:01.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Looking North Through Rime Covered Windows For anyone that's been following the Observer Comments the past few days you'll know that

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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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