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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

710, 2011

Nice Weather for the Weekend

October 7th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Nice Weather for the Weekend 2011-10-07 21:33:50.000 - Kevin Cronin,  Summit Intern The high pressure system over the northeast will remain over the region forthis weekend. This will allow conditions to be beautiful at the summit withtemperatures well above average and clear skies.The temperature at the summit

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610, 2011

METAR: The Secrets of Weather Decoded!

October 6th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

METAR: The Secrets of Weather Decoded! 2011-10-06 22:08:06.000 - Rick Giard,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Daily Weather Coding Sheet Anyone who tunes in to the weathercasters at regional and national news channels knows a fair amount of meteorological jargon: isobars, fronts, pressure gradients and the like. As one

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510, 2011

Fun with Stats

October 5th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 on the summit is a balmy 62F.That's a spread of 67 degrees

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Climb to the Clouds

June 24th, 2011|Comments Off on Climb to the Clouds

Climb to the Clouds 2011-06-24 16:02:54.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer / Educational Specialist NULL Ever since I was an intern over 5 years ago, I have known about the cars that have raced up the

Solstices and Equinox

June 23rd, 2011|Comments Off on Solstices and Equinox

Solstices and Equinox 2011-06-23 16:21:18.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Meteorological Observer Mount Washington, home of the three setting suns During my first summer up here, my coworker at the time, Jim Salge, wrote an observer comment

Lightning notes

June 22nd, 2011|Comments Off on Lightning notes

Lightning notes 2011-06-22 18:33:06.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Meteorological Observer Lightning seen a few shifts ago. As you may have read in yesterday's comment, this week is the National Weather Services' Lightning Safety Week (June 19-25).

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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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