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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

2607, 2022

Dear Self, Mount Washington has A Lot to Teach You

July 26th, 2022|Categories: Historical Posts|

Dear Self, Mount Washington has A Lot to Teach You 2022-07-26 12:34:31.000 - Alexis George, Weather Observer & Meteorologist   I loaded my backpack with power tools and then I was ready. Ready to hike up Virginia’s highest peak to perform maintenance on one of Virginia Tech’s

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2007, 2022

2022 Seek the Peak Photos

July 20th, 2022|Categories: Historical Posts|

2022 Seek the Peak Photos 2022-07-20 10:40:15.000 - MWOBS Staff, Contributed photos.   Thanks to our 2022 Seek the Peak fundraisers, sponsors, volunteers, Vendor Village exhibitors, and visitors, our 22nd annual event was a huge success, helping us raise an impressive $175,000!   That’s a critical portion

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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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Worlds of Dew

September 14th, 2020|Comments Off on Worlds of Dew

Worlds of Dew 2020-09-14 11:53:38.000 - Nate Iannuccillo, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   This world of dew is a world of dew, and yet, and yet. -Kobayashi Issa  I remember first reading Issa’s famous haiku 5 years

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September 7th, 2020|Comments Off on You Live On The Summit?!

You Live On The Summit?! 2020-09-07 15:16:31.000 - Nicole Tallman, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   After a busy weekend on the summit, I have realized there are many people that are unfamiliar with how the Obs

Oboz on The Go

September 3rd, 2020|Comments Off on Oboz on The Go

Oboz on The Go 2020-09-03 08:26:18.000 - Rebecca Scholand, Summit Operations Manager   I think it is safe to say that many people have experienced a change in their 2020 habits and plans. I feel

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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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Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

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