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

2607, 2022

Dear Self, Mount Washington has A Lot to Teach You

July 26th, 2022|Categories: Historical Posts|

Dear Self, Mount Washington has A Lot to Teach You 2022-07-26 12:34:31.000 - Alexis George, Weather Observer & Meteorologist   I loaded my backpack with power tools and then I was ready. Ready to hike up Virginia’s highest peak to perform maintenance on one of Virginia Tech’s

Read More
2007, 2022

2022 Seek the Peak Photos

July 20th, 2022|Categories: Historical Posts|

2022 Seek the Peak Photos 2022-07-20 10:40:15.000 - MWOBS Staff, Contributed photos.   Thanks to our 2022 Seek the Peak fundraisers, sponsors, volunteers, Vendor Village exhibitors, and visitors, our 22nd annual event was a huge success, helping us raise an impressive $175,000!   That’s a critical portion

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!

Science In The Mountains Returns!

July 20th, 2020|Comments Off on Science In The Mountains Returns!

Science In The Mountains Returns! 2020-07-20 16:49:23.000 - Brian Fitzgerald, Director of Science and Education   On Tuesday, July 28th at 7pm, the Science in the Mountains lecture series returns to Mount Washington Observatory with

Reflections on My First DL

July 13th, 2020|Comments Off on Reflections on My First DL

Reflections on My First DL 2020-07-13 16:23:37.000 - Nicole Tallman, Weather Observer/Education Specialist   Today I led my first distance-learning program since being hired as the Education Specialist. After many days fine-tuning my presentation and

Follow Your Dreams, They Know the Way (to the Summit, In My Case)!

July 6th, 2020|Comments Off on Follow Your Dreams, They Know the Way (to the Summit, In My Case)!

Follow Your Dreams, They Know the Way (to the Summit, In My Case)! 2020-07-06 16:21:06.000 - Sam Robinson, Weather Observer/Engineer   Hello from the Highest Office in the East!* My name is Sam Robinson and

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