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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

212, 2011

The Rock Pile Looms Large

December 2nd, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Rock Pile Looms Large 2011-12-02 17:26:36.000 - Rick Giard,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Casting a Long Shadow In yesterday's comment, Kevin discussed the refractive optical phenomenon known as the glory, produced dramatically over a thick undercast. Continuing with the general theme of atmospheric optics, this morning we

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112, 2011

Glory

December 1st, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Glory 2011-12-01 14:16:40.000 - Kevin Cronin,  Summit Intern Glory Yesterday a shortwave moving through the New England area kept us in the clouds and provided us with upslope snow showers in the afternoon. However, the weather is magnificent on the summit today as colder dryer air filters

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3011, 2011

Words and Purrs from Marty

November 30th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Words and Purrs from Marty 2011-11-30 22:47:04.000 - Marty,  Summit Cat Marty Surveys The undoubtedly-subordinate observers on the summit have once again clogged the MWO cyberspace with their thoughts, grievances, and ruminations as of late, and haven't allowed the most adored member of the summit staff to

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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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August 15th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-08-15 17:08:09.000 - Kevin Cronin,  Summit Intern NULL This is my first week at the summit as an intern and it's been a great experience so far. Tom has made this week easy for

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August 14th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-08-14 18:00:57.000 - Peter Strand,  Summit Intern 'Thanks to my awesome interns'. Thanks Erin! Looks like it's time for yet another farewell intern comment. Time really does fly by on the rock pile. It

Marty’s Vaccination Today

August 14th, 2011|Comments Off on Marty’s Vaccination Today

Marty's Vaccination Today 2011-08-14 11:47:15.000 - Rick Giard,  Observer / Educational Specialist Marty Confined to Quarters As the only permanent full-time resident on the Summit, our Observatory cat Marty generally has freedom to come 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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