Temperature:      Wind Speed:      Gust:      Wind Chill:      Direction:    Switch to Metric

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

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

605, 2011

NULL

May 6th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2011-05-06 08:15:30.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist winter's wonderland Upon arrival on Wednesday (which occurred sans snow tractor - the first time this season!), the summit looked like summer. The rocks were squashing beneath my boots in mud, the big snow pile next to the

Read More
405, 2011

Volunteer Comment

May 4th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Volunteer Comment 2011-05-04 22:30:11.000 - Joe Kayan,  Summit Volunteer Sunset I awake a half hour before my alarm goes off. My room is gray...just enough early light filtering through the two small windows for me to see the clutter of hiking gear, books and late night snacks

Read More
305, 2011

Monthly summary

May 3rd, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Monthly summary 2011-05-03 18:18:30.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist Blues, grays and gold from sunset yesterday. I just finished the monthly weather summary for April (which is posted here and here) and if I had to think of three words to summarize last month's weather, it would

Read More

Share This Post

Support Us

Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

We cannot do this without your support!

NULL

January 15th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-01-15 14:11:03.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist another sunrise! As I mentioned in yesterday's comment, we in fact, did get a sunrise this morning! Many of you know to get two sunrises and

NULL

January 14th, 2011|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2011-01-14 20:14:05.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist sunrise this morning Last night, in an attempt to use up some residual energy from dinner and cake, I invited myself on a walk down the

First impressions from new intern.

January 13th, 2011|Comments Off on First impressions from new intern.

First impressions from new intern. 2011-01-13 18:21:18.000 - David Quigley,  Summit Intern NULL I'm finally here! After a few months of anticipation I arrived Wednesday afternoon as the new Winter Intern. It already feels like

Find Older Posts

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.

© Copyright 2026 | Mount Washington Observatory | All Rights Reserved | 603-356-2137

Did you know you can text ‘weather’ and ‘forecast’ to 603-356-2137 for current weather and conditions?
Alternatively, you can enable our Historical Weather Alexa Skill, or our Alexa Flash Briefing Audio forecast.

Go to Top