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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

1005, 2012

The Sling Psychomotor & Psychometric Calculator

May 10th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Sling Psychomotor & Psychometric Calculator 2012-05-10 20:52:00.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Sling Psychrometer/Psychrometric Wheel Calculator The first Cog trains for the season were up this past weekend with plenty of tourists who want to visit the highest point East of the Mississippi and North

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905, 2012

What Season Are We Really In?

May 9th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

What Season Are We Really In? 2012-05-09 23:48:04.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL Growing up, we are taught that there are four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. And most people would associate these seasons with the weather or plant life. In spring, flowers and leafs

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805, 2012

Volunteer Comments

May 8th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Volunteer Comments 2012-05-08 22:23:29.000 - Candace & Bill Rapf,  Summit Volunteers Marty Spring really has sprung here on the top of the Rockpile. Outside today there were flying, biting insects, and some birdsong was heard. It has been a wonderful week to be a summit volunteer. We

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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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Cold

January 15th, 2012|Comments Off on Cold

Cold 2012-01-15 19:19:27.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL It's certainly been cold up here the past couple of days with temperatures well below zero. Add in the strong north westerly winds and it

Introducing Brian Fitzgerald

January 14th, 2012|Comments Off on Introducing Brian Fitzgerald

Introducing Brian Fitzgerald 2012-01-14 17:31:56.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Summit Intern A Thorough De-Icing Greetings from the summit! Today marks my first comment as an intern and also the halfway point of my first week of

The Wind Force Factor

January 13th, 2012|Comments Off on The Wind Force Factor

The Wind Force Factor 2012-01-13 23:44:01.000 - Rick Giard,  Weather Observer / Education Specialist Wind Kinetic Energy Folks who visit the summit for the first time are often unaware of the tremendous force with which

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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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