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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

2808, 2011

Irene again

August 28th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Irene again 2011-08-28 19:26:11.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NE totals as of 6:30 p.m. 8/28 She came, she saw, she drenched.I'm referring to Irene, of course...a storm with fury that rolled through most of the eastern U.S., dropping tremendous rainfall amounts and creating widespread wind damage

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2708, 2011

Irene 3

August 27th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Irene 3 2011-08-27 17:05:04.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Irene's massive span Irene's still coming!If you were hoping your collective hurricane/rain dances, etc., would ward off Hurricane Irene, I regret to inform you that they have not. Irene still has her sights set on New England, along

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2608, 2011

Irene Closures

August 26th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Irene Closures 2011-08-26 16:31:40.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Irene's Projected Path In anticipation of Hurricane Irene and its potential effects on the region, several organizations have taken the following precautions:New Hampshire Fish and Game:'Due to the severity of this storm, N.H. Fish and Game Department Executive

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Kind of Nice.

May 16th, 2011|Comments Off on Kind of Nice.

Kind of Nice. 2011-05-16 23:15:05.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist NULL As the quasi-stationary low remains stalled to the south, the moist flow over New England continues. On the summits, this low has meant persistent

Wet Weather Here to Stay

May 15th, 2011|Comments Off on Wet Weather Here to Stay

Wet Weather Here to Stay 2011-05-15 16:44:46.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer and Meteorologist NULL If you live in New England or the Mid-Atlantic, get used to the weather you have been experiencing over the weekend,

Spring!

May 14th, 2011|Comments Off on Spring!

Spring! 2011-05-14 16:08:30.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer Laying Down Non-musical Tracks It appears that summer has finally arrived to the summit. The Mount Washington Auto Road is open to the summit as is the

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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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