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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

2902, 2012

A Winter Week

February 29th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Winter Week 2012-02-29 00:48:16.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL As Steve was saying in his comment from the other day, it's certainly been a winter week for our shift!We've experienced hurricane force winds every day except for one, and we've also witnessed winds in excess

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2702, 2012

Weekly Weather Summary February 19th – 25th

February 27th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Weekly Weather Summary February 19th - 25th 2012-02-27 17:43:38.000 - Rick Giard,  Weather Observer / Education Specialist Weather Feb. 19-25 WEEKLY WEATHER SUMMARYFebruary 19th - 25thThis week proved to be quite eventful in the weather department, affecting not only general operations but also educational events and summit

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2602, 2012

Snow

February 26th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Snow 2012-02-26 17:42:34.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL The Rockpile has experienced very wintry conditions this past weekend. With nearly a foot of new snow falling, although most of it has flown into the surrounding ravines thanks to the strong winds that peaked at 111

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It’s Quiet at the Top

November 4th, 2011|Comments Off on It’s Quiet at the Top

It's Quiet at the Top 2011-11-04 19:41:09.000 - Kevin Cronin,  Summit Intern Dreary Friday It's eerily quiet on the summit since shift change this past Wednesday. Currently there are only six people on the summit

Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was able to take a good photograph of altostratus clouds

November 3rd, 2011|Comments Off on Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was able to take a good photograph of altostratus clouds

Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was able to take a good photograph of altostratus clouds 2011-11-03 19:55:35.000 - Kevin Cronin,  Summit Intern Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was ab Following the

Cirrus Clouds

November 2nd, 2011|Comments Off on Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus Clouds 2011-11-02 20:01:54.000 - Kevin Cronin,  Summit Intern Cirrus Clouds As I headed out to the observatory deck two hours before sunset, I noticed the sky was full of cirrus clouds. The picture below

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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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