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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

1908, 2010

NICE!!!

August 19th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

NICE!!! 2010-08-19 23:47:02.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist The end of a NICE day! There are BAD day, there are OK days, and then there are NICE days. Today was one of those NICE days. And I wasn't the only one that thought it was a nice

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1808, 2010

Two down but not out yet

August 18th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

Two down but not out yet 2010-08-18 22:30:22.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist Intermittent sunset today. When I said I would do a quick comment this evening, my coworkers scoffed because I don't tend to write short comments. But, I'll show them; the whole five of them

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1708, 2010

NULL

August 17th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2010-08-17 20:35:11.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist a view finder, for a different vantage point I could write all kinds of contemplative thoughts about life, music, goals, and/or weather, but really, I'm just happy that tomorrow is Wednesday. It's been a rather busy day, and

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NULL

May 7th, 2010|Comments Off on NULL

NULL 2010-05-07 16:32:10.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist NULL 'No singing, no dancing, no chick flicks!' Those are Steve's rules. I am the primary offender; Drew is in a close second. My affinity for

oh, you know.

May 6th, 2010|Comments Off on oh, you know.

oh, you know. 2010-05-06 08:41:49.000 - Drew Hill,  Summit Intern A Rare Peak Through the Clouds from the Obs Room I've just returned from a 5-day stint hunting for an apartment in New Haven. Luckily,

Long Day

May 5th, 2010|Comments Off on Long Day

Long Day 2010-05-05 04:16:32.000 - Steve Welsh,  IT Observer NULL So it's been an unusually long day for me. As Marty alluded to in the previous comment Mike went missing on Tuesday - OK he

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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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