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

2108, 2011

Marty visits the vet

adm_mwobs2011-08-21T18:24:44-04:00August 21st, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Marty visits the vet 2011-08-21 18:24:44.000 - Brian Clark, Weather Observer/Education Specialist Marty, back on his favorite chair Steve let the cat out of the bag the other day (pun intended) when he briefly mentioned that our beloved mascot and pet, Marty the cat, had to go

2008, 2011

Second oldest working barometer in the US

adm_mwobs2011-08-20T21:00:27-04:00August 20th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Second oldest working barometer in the US 2011-08-20 21:00:27.000 - Roger Pushor, Weather Observer/IT Specialist Second oldest working barometer in the US A barometer is a scientific instrument used in meteorology to measure atmospheric pressure and only at the Mount Washington Observatory will you find the second

1908, 2011

8-19-11 Stephen Rosenman

adm_mwobs2011-08-19T18:38:30-04:00August 19th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

8-19-11 Stephen Rosenman 2011-08-19 18:38:30.000 - Stephen Rosenman, Summit Intern Adventure Trippers Taking in the Sunset As summer winds down, it is sad to see the other summer interns finish up at the Observatory and head off back to school. Fortunately, I am going abroad this fall

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adm_mwobs2011-05-10T11:53:13-04:00May 10th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-05-10 11:53:13.000 - Karen Hemeon, Membership & Events Coordinator NULL Mount Washington has roughly 4,000 members, 20,000 e-newsletter subscribers and an astounding 1.17 million unique visitors who peruse this website each year.You are scientists

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adm_mwobs2011-05-09T19:12:06-04:00May 9th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-05-09 19:12:06.000 - Stacey Kawecki, Observer and Meteorologist good medicine! Unlike Garfield, I don't mind Monday's so much. Especially when you awake to 110 mile visibility - that really takes the edge off. The

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adm_mwobs2011-05-08T22:23:10-04:00May 8th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-05-08 22:23:10.000 - Mike Carmon, Staff Meteorologist NULL Elusive springtime weather has transformed the summit multiple times in only four days.Spring is generally a very difficult month for forecasters, because it is a season