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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

2705, 2023

The Story Behind a Tumultuous Transition to Spring

May 27th, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|

The Story Behind a Tumultuous Transition to Spring Francis Tarasiewicz, Weather Observer & Education Specialist April ended on an active and destructive note for the summit and New England as a powerful area of low pressure delivered flooding rains and damaging winds. To add insult to

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1505, 2023

Mt Washington Summer Season 2023 Information

May 15th, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|

Mt Washington Summer Season 2023 Information Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist With summer quickly approaching, you might be looking for information about the various entities on and around Mount Washington. So, below are some references you can utilize in your planning to the summit. Mount Washington

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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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Intern to Weather Observer

March 22nd, 2021|Comments Off on Intern to Weather Observer

Intern to Weather Observer 2021-03-22 15:00:59.000 - Jackie Bellefontaine, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Hello from the summit of Mount Washington! My name is Jackie Bellefontaine, you may remember me from the previous blogs I wrote

Reflections on a Late-February Summit Trip

March 17th, 2021|Comments Off on Reflections on a Late-February Summit Trip

Reflections on a Late-February Summit Trip 2021-03-17 06:34:30.000 - Charlie Buterbaugh, Development Coordinator   Approaching tree line, the landscape is stunning. High above the White Mountain National Forest floor, protected in the snowcat as we

Fifteen Years of Observing Mount Washington’s Weather

March 8th, 2021|Comments Off on Fifteen Years of Observing Mount Washington’s Weather

Fifteen Years of Observing Mount Washington's Weather 2021-03-08 20:17:38.000 - Ryan Knapp, Observer/Staff Meteorologist   Just over fifteen years ago (December 28, 2005), I started working at the Mount Washington Observatory. I started as an

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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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