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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

1801, 2012

Wild Weather Wednesday

January 18th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Wild Weather Wednesday 2012-01-18 01:06:54.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Some more wild weather is on the way!Sitting here staring at the computer models, we are currently anticipating a complicated shift change day tomorrow.A strong arctic cold front is going to blast its way through early tomorrow

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1601, 2012

Weekly Weather Summary Jan. 8-14, 2012

January 16th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Weekly Weather Summary Jan. 8-14, 2012 2012-01-16 22:54:33.000 - Rick Giard,  Weather Observer / Education Specialist Weather Jan. 8-14 WEEKLY WEATHER SUMMARYJan. 8th - 14thThe top weather event this week was essentially one storm in two parts. In reality two separate systems impacted the higher summits within

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1501, 2012

Cold

January 15th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 really takes your breath away every time you step outside to take

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Fun with Stats

October 5th, 2011|Comments Off on Fun with Stats

Fun with Stats 2011-10-05 22:45:58.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL The all-time record low for the month of October on the summit is a chilly -5F.The all-time record high for the month of October

Volunteer Reflections

October 4th, 2011|Comments Off on Volunteer Reflections

Volunteer Reflections 2011-10-04 17:31:46.000 - Lowell Williams,  Summit Volunteer NULL Mount Washington, like any other geologic formation, is millions and millions of years old. Its memories are inscribed on the landscape in a language that

Learning Experience

October 3rd, 2011|Comments Off on Learning Experience

Learning Experience 2011-10-03 22:38:38.000 - Erin Diveny,  Summit Museum Supervisor While working at the observatory this summer, I've really been wanting to learn a lot more about meteorology. For those of you who read my

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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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