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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

1106, 2011

SR 6/11/11

June 11th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

SR 6/11/11 2011-06-11 16:25:48.000 - Stephen Rosenman,  Summit Intern Cold, Windy, and Rainy Summit While I will not say this very often, I think today has been a good day not to be out on the trails. Other than watching the large cap cloud pour over us

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1006, 2011

Alpine Flowers

June 10th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Alpine Flowers 2011-06-10 23:01:24.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer Alpine Flowers As promised last night, here are a few more flower pictures from our hike the other day. Waking up this morning revealed another cool photo opportunity - a cap cloud. This particular cap cloud persisted for

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906, 2011

Escaping the Heat

June 9th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Escaping the Heat 2011-06-09 16:10:57.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer and Meteorologist NULL It was certainly nice to escape the heat in the valley yesterday by coming to the summit. I love the fact that a 'hot' day on Mount Washington sees temperatures in the 60's. That's my

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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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Volunteer Thoughts

February 16th, 2011|Comments Off on Volunteer Thoughts

Volunteer Thoughts 2011-02-16 21:39:01.000 - Suan Polk,  Summit Volunteer I am wistfully wrapping up the end of my third week as a summit volunteer. Although my son and co-volunteer, Jeff, had to depart early on

First 100 mph Wind

February 15th, 2011|Comments Off on First 100 mph Wind

First 100 mph Wind 2011-02-15 16:14:46.000 - David Quigley,  Summit Intern NULL Today I experienced my first 100+ mph wind. I woke up at 6:30 AM to find that some exciting weather had arrived. At

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February 13th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-02-13 20:27:58.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist NULL It is Sunday, and due to the influx of visitors and very cool makeovers, this is the first time someone on our shift has actually

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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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