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

507, 2010

Washing The Tower

adm_mwobs2010-07-05T23:17:14-04:00July 5th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

Washing The Tower 2010-07-05 23:17:14.000 - Steve Welsh, IT Observer Kristin At Work Since the weather has been unusually warm and fog free over the past few days we've taken the opportunity to do some major cleaning work on the inside of the tower. The tower tends

407, 2010

NULL

adm_mwobs2010-07-04T13:38:28-04:00July 4th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

NULL 2010-07-04 13:38:28.000 - Stacey Kawecki, Observer and Meteorologist our own kind of fireworks Happy Birthday America! Now, prepare yourself for a history lesson.A mere 234 years ago Continental Congress approved the wording of, arguably, the most important document in the United State's history - the Declaration

307, 2010

Snow Field

adm_mwobs2010-07-03T22:36:29-04:00July 3rd, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

Snow Field 2010-07-03 22:36:29.000 - Steve Welsh, IT Observer Snow Field So how long will the Jefferson snow field last? As you can possibly just make out from the photo (hint it's the tiny white spec under the big red arrow) it's seen much better days and

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