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

2306, 2025

March Newsletter: Instrument Innovation Across Continents

Ellen Estabrook2025-06-23T15:02:26-04:00June 23rd, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|

Project Wayra expedition team members Tom Matthews, left, Pierre Pitte, and Baker Perry make final adjustments on the Aconcagua summit station, featuring a customized MWOBS pitot anemometer, on February 18. Dear *{{Informal Name}}*, A few years ago, I had the honor of custom-building wind sensors for

2306, 2025

February Newsletter: New Program Will Boost Access for Universities

Ellen Estabrook2025-06-23T15:00:48-04:00June 23rd, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|

Sunset on January 23, captured by Weather Observer and IT Specialist Charlie Peachey. Dear *{{Informal Name}}*, The chill of a New England winter fully gripped the summit of Mount Washington throughout the month of January. The average temperature across the entire month landed at a

2306, 2025

January Newsletter: Celebrating Stewardship & Community

Ellen Estabrook2025-06-23T14:57:09-04:00June 23rd, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|

The sun rises over a partial undercast, viewed between a rime-covered railing on Nov. 26. Karl Philippoff photo. Dear *{{Informal Name}}*, It’s been a week of brutal cold and high winds at the summit. Our weather observers measured a top wind speed of 142 mph on

Previous 8910 Next

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!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW