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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

1511, 2011

Busted Snow Light

November 15th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Busted Snow Light 2011-11-15 20:58:50.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Rime on the Snow Light when it's working. Outside our northern set of windows, we have a light attached to a post which we refer to as 'the snow light'. What this simplistic 'instrument' does is helps

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1411, 2011

…back down to the valley, valley so low…

November 14th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

...back down to the valley, valley so low... 2011-11-14 17:28:39.000 - Judy Heininger,  Weather Discovery Center Attendant NULL ...back down to the valley, valley so low... I have the privilege ofworking at the Weather Discovery Center for the Mount WashingtonObservatory, at the Observatory's valley headquarters in North

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1311, 2011

Warming Up

November 13th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Warming Up 2011-11-13 17:37:55.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Marty, taking in the view from the Weather Room As Roger mentioned yesterday, we had our first EduTrip of the season up with us through this afternoon. The participants were treated to some fog-free weather late last

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July 29th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-07-29 14:16:34.000 - Tom Padham,  Summit Intern NULL Today we had our first Summit Adventures of the summer season, with five guests getting to experience the home of the world's worst weather first hand

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July 28th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-07-28 15:02:02.000 - Peter Strand,  Summit Intern Everyone knows that weather in the White Mountains changes quickly. This is true for almost all mountain ranges, but especially the Whites. Life moves fast at the

Art of Forecasting

July 27th, 2011|Comments Off on Art of Forecasting

Art of Forecasting 2011-07-27 22:43:13.000 - Mike Carmon,  Observer / Meteorologist Computer Model Generated Analysis Forecasting is a science, but is also very much an art.Wikipedia defines science as a systematic enterprise that builds and

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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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