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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

2904, 2012

A New Daily Record Low

April 29th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

A New Daily Record Low 2012-04-29 16:49:20.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Distinct freezing line on the Carter-Moriah Range It's been an interesting month and a half for me. After being away from the summit for 25 days while on vacation, my first week back was

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2804, 2012

Weather on the ‘rock’ pile

April 28th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Weather on the 'rock' pile 2012-04-28 19:36:13.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Marty the 'Weather' cat After breaking five daily record high temperatures in March and one so far in April winter has returned to the 'rock pile' with a few inches of fresh snow and

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2704, 2012

Every track can tell a story

April 27th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Every track can tell a story 2012-04-27 18:13:42.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Fresh snow on the path through the trees. When we go out once an hour, part of our job is to look up and out. We look up to see how high clouds are

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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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Pressure 6288′ vs. -6288′

January 9th, 2012|Comments Off on Pressure 6288′ vs. -6288′

Pressure 6288' vs. -6288' 2012-01-09 19:25:41.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Operations Assistant NULL The summit of Mount Washington is known to be in the clouds about 60% of the year. This week was no different. The

Me, Myself and I, I, I

January 8th, 2012|Comments Off on Me, Myself and I, I, I

Me, Myself and I, I, I 2012-01-08 21:09:58.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Me, Myself, and I, I, I - in the weather room. Like most kids, when I was a kid, I used to

DIversity on the ‘rock pile’

January 7th, 2012|Comments Off on DIversity on the ‘rock pile’

DIversity on the 'rock pile' 2012-01-07 23:21:06.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Our 'sling' all toasty warm again You may ask what's it like to be a Weather Observer/IT Specialist on the 'rock pile'.

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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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Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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