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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

2212, 2021

A Winter Outlook as Ski Season Begins in New Hampshire

December 22nd, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Winter Outlook as Ski Season Begins in New Hampshire 2021-12-22 10:18:13.000 - Stephen Durham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   During a recent virtual reception hosted by Ski New Hampshire, I had the opportunity to present and talk with ski areas of the region about the winter we

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2112, 2021

Students in Rural NH Learn Data Science with Help from WeatherX

December 21st, 2021|Categories: Impact Stories|

Students in Rural NH Learn Data Science with Help from WeatherX By MWOBS Staff Students in Patti Dugan-Henriksen's class are learning data science by investigating extreme weather events thanks to WeatherX, an all new data-rich science curriculum supported by Mount Washington Observatory. If you value educational

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1412, 2021

Inspiring Curiosity in Weather and Climate

December 14th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Inspiring Curiosity in Weather and Climate 2021-12-14 21:04:14.000 - Jacquelyn Bellefontaine, Weather Observer & Education Specialist   One of my favorite parts of the week occurs on Tuesdays at 11:15 am, when our Home of the World’s Worst Weather Live! program takes place. This free virtual classroom

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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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Like a Breath of Fresh Air – Only Thinner

May 4th, 2020|Comments Off on Like a Breath of Fresh Air – Only Thinner

Like a Breath of Fresh Air - Only Thinner 2020-05-04 12:47:37.000 - AJ Grimes, Weather Observer   Here at the Observatory, we get a lot of questions regarding altitude and the lack of oxygen on

Baking Up a Storm on the Summit

April 27th, 2020|Comments Off on Baking Up a Storm on the Summit

Baking Up a Storm on the Summit 2020-04-27 14:06:36.000 - AJ Grimes, Weather Observer   During our week-long shifts on the summit, cooking duties are usually handled by a pair of volunteers that join us

A Cirque-us Around Mount Washington

April 20th, 2020|Comments Off on A Cirque-us Around Mount Washington

A Cirque-us Around Mount Washington 2020-04-20 13:42:40.000 - AJ Grimes, Weather Observer   Continuing on last week’s theme of extreme ice, let’s talk about glaciers! If you’ve ever gone skiing at Tuckerman Ravine or climbing

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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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