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

411, 2011

It’s Quiet at the Top

adm_mwobs2011-11-04T19:41:09-04:00November 4th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

It's Quiet at the Top 2011-11-04 19:41:09.000 - Kevin Cronin, Summit Intern Dreary Friday It's eerily quiet on the summit since shift change this past Wednesday. Currently there are only six people on the summit which includes two state employees and four observatory staff. The weather today

311, 2011

Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was able to take a good photograph of altostratus clouds

adm_mwobs2011-11-03T19:55:35-04:00November 3rd, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was able to take a good photograph of altostratus clouds 2011-11-03 19:55:35.000 - Kevin Cronin, Summit Intern Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was ab Following the cloud theme from yesterday, I was able to take a good photograph

211, 2011

Cirrus Clouds

adm_mwobs2011-11-02T20:01:54-04:00November 2nd, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Cirrus Clouds 2011-11-02 20:01:54.000 - Kevin Cronin, Summit Intern Cirrus Clouds As I headed out to the observatory deck two hours before sunset, I noticed the sky was full of cirrus clouds. The picture below provides a great representation of what cirrus clouds look like. You can

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