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

2705, 2011

An Amazing Mountain

adm_mwobs2011-05-27T17:17:34-04:00May 27th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

An Amazing Mountain 2011-05-27 17:17:34.000 - Brian Clark, Observer and Meteorologist Still some snow left out there There are certain things about this mountain that never cease to amaze me, and I was reminded of several of those things today.First, there's the unpredictability of the weather. Now,

2605, 2011

Lighning

adm_mwobs2011-05-26T21:10:54-04:00May 26th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

Lighning 2011-05-26 21:10:54.000 - Mike Finnegan, IT Observer NULL After a nice sunset last night, we are now in the clouds and look to remain so for the foreseeable future. The snow is all but gone here on the summit, with only small patches remaining in the

2505, 2011

NULL

adm_mwobs2011-05-25T07:28:44-04:00May 25th, 2011|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2011-05-25 07:28:44.000 - Stacey Kawecki, Observer and Meteorologist the prettiest picture I took all week. Warning:A long and sappy comment follows. Be prepared.3 years and 10 months = 2 summit cats (Nin and Marty), 2 snow tractors (yellow and white), 2 pitot tubes (3 if you

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