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

904, 2012

Winter, anyone?

adm_mwobs2012-04-09T15:38:04-04:00April 9th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Winter, anyone? 2012-04-09 15:38:04.000 - Brian Fitzgerald, Summit Intern Marty looking on, waiting for the snow to end. And now an update on day four of our shift week now named 'operation low pressure system wandering aimlessly across New England.' Okay, so let me explain. Since Friday

804, 2012

More Fog

adm_mwobs2012-04-08T15:22:14-04:00April 8th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

More Fog 2012-04-08 15:22:14.000 - Steve Welsh, Weather Observer/IT Specialist Marty after his treats As Mike alluded to in yesterday's comment we have certainly seen a change in the weather this shift. The past few days have become very monotonous indeed with continuous thick freezing fog, blowing

704, 2012

A Mundane Weather Week

adm_mwobs2012-04-07T17:04:59-04:00April 7th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Mundane Weather Week 2012-04-07 17:04:59.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Our view this week We most certainly got spoiled during our last shift, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s and lots of sunshine to be had. I was enjoying donning our lighter summer gear rather

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A Volunteer’s Comments

adm_mwobs2011-12-19T21:12:40-05:00December 19th, 2011|Comments Off on A Volunteer’s Comments

A Volunteer's Comments 2011-12-19 21:12:40.000 - Brad Bradstreet, Summit Volunteer Stage Office at Night Monday is normally the beginning of my week. But, as a volunteer for the Observatory, the week started on Wednesday morning

Weekly Weather Summary December 11-17, 2011

adm_mwobs2011-12-18T16:06:30-05:00December 18th, 2011|Comments Off on Weekly Weather Summary December 11-17, 2011

Weekly Weather Summary December 11-17, 2011 2011-12-18 16:06:30.000 - Rick Giard, Weather Observer / Education Specialist Weather Dec. 11-17 WEEKLY WEATHER SUMMARYDecember 11-17, 2011Winter-like conditions have finally begun to take hold on the higher summits.

A Rhyme Regarding Rime

adm_mwobs2011-12-17T17:31:18-05:00December 17th, 2011|Comments Off on A Rhyme Regarding Rime

A Rhyme Regarding Rime 2011-12-17 17:31:18.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist A Rhyme Regarding Rime If you allot me some time,please allow me to rhyme.And if I progress to rime,then all has proceeded just fine....Some