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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

201, 2012

Weekly Weather Summary December 25-31

January 2nd, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Weekly Weather Summary December 25-31 2012-01-02 14:42:12.000 - Rick Giard,  Weather Observer / Education Specialist Weather Dec. 26-31 WEEKLY WEATHER SUMMARYDecember 25-31The big weather story this week was a return to more typical winter conditions. Despite the continued early-season deficit of snowfall and precipitation in general, temperatures

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101, 2012

And then there were three…

January 1st, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

And then there were three... 2012-01-01 21:17:24.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist New Year 2012 Happy New Year! I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe evening yesterday, we certainly did up here on the Rockpile. In fact I'm still recovering from all the excellent food

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3012, 2011

A Message Of Thanks

December 30th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Message Of Thanks 2011-12-30 20:54:38.000 - Scot Henley,  Executive Director NULL Friends, I want to take this moment to simply say 'thank you'. All of us on the staff and each member of our Board of Trustees truly, passionately believe in this unique cause. We know

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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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Flags on the Summit

September 11th, 2011|Comments Off on Flags on the Summit

Flags on the Summit 2011-09-11 18:39:41.000 - Erin Diveny,  Summit Museum Supervisor Raising of the flag Today the summit was filled with people carrying American flags in honor of those who lost there lives on

A Great Sunset

September 10th, 2011|Comments Off on A Great Sunset

A Great Sunset 2011-09-10 21:28:03.000 - Kevin Cronin,  Summit Intern Sunset Soiree! Tonight the observatory held the Sunset Soiree, an event where you have an opportunity to enjoy a nice glass of champagne as the

Sunrise and Lenticulars

September 9th, 2011|Comments Off on Sunrise and Lenticulars

Sunrise and Lenticulars 2011-09-09 18:48:51.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Lenticulars The eastern horizon was a vivid red at 5:30 this morning, some 40 minutes or so before the sun actually rose. As the

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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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