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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

908, 2011

NULL

August 9th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2011-08-09 22:59:35.000 - Jaclyn Ritzman,  Summit Intern Well I lied; this will be my last comment! Since I last posted a comment on Thursday we were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis on Saturday! This has always been a dream of mine

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808, 2011

Martys Mewsings

August 8th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Martys Mewsings 2011-08-08 17:38:12.000 - Marty,  Summit Cat Catching up on my Fur-ty Winks w/ a buddy of mine. Hello, Marty here. I figure it is the purr-fect time to write a comment since it's been a while since you heard from me. Life has been purr-ty

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708, 2011

Wishing for Fog

August 7th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Wishing for Fog 2011-08-07 18:28:43.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer / Educational Specialist NULL I can honestly say that it's not very often that I wish for a day that we are completely socked in the fog. However, given the weather pattern we have seen for the majority

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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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Spring in Comming

April 27th, 2011|Comments Off on Spring in Comming

Spring in Comming 2011-04-27 16:36:57.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Summit Intern NULL It is amazing the change that Mount Washington undergoes in the spring. When I think back three weeks ago the summit was still covered

NULL

April 26th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-04-26 21:18:39.000 - Mike Carmon,  Staff Meteorologist NULL I'm checking back in after 24 hours, to continue my narrative from yesterday.With over a half of an inch of rain falling, and a foreboding radar

NULL

April 25th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-04-25 20:56:21.000 - Mike Carmon,  Staff Meteorologist Our Own River Water, water, everywhere!April certainly has a reputation for being a wet month across the country, and it has certainly lived up to its name,

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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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