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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

203, 2022

Observatory Staff and Interns Present Projects at AMS Annual Meeting

March 2nd, 2022|Categories: Historical Posts|

Observatory Staff and Interns Present Projects at AMS Annual Meeting 2022-03-02 05:56:17.000 - Brian Fitzgerald, Director of Science & Education   Mount Washington Observatory staff and interns presented two research posters and an overview of our WeatherX curriculum development project during the 102nd American Meteorological Society’s (AMS)

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2202, 2022

A Look Back at the Feb. 18 Rapid Temperature Drop

February 22nd, 2022|Categories: Historical Posts|

A Look Back at the Feb. 18 Rapid Temperature Drop 2022-02-22 16:21:30.000 - Jay Broccolo, Weather Observer and Meteorologist   It was like this. The temperature was holding steady at around 38°F on Friday, Feb. 18. The station had just tied the record high temperature for the

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1402, 2022

Love Is in the Air…and So Are Clouds!

February 14th, 2022|Categories: Historical Posts|

Love Is in the Air...and So Are Clouds! 2022-02-14 13:37:41.000 - Sam Robinson, Weather Observer/Engineer   Today is Valentine’s Day, so I thought it would be fitting to focus on what I love most about being a weather observer… clouds! Up here on the summit, we get

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The 86th Anniversary of the “Big Wind”

April 10th, 2020|Comments Off on The 86th Anniversary of the “Big Wind”

The 86th Anniversary of the “Big Wind” 2020-04-10 15:57:06.000 - Eric Kelsey, MWO Lead Research Scientist   Eighty-six years ago, five men holed-up in a small wooden structure atop Mount Washington contemplated the question, “Will

Warm and Dry Feet in Spring

April 6th, 2020|Comments Off on Warm and Dry Feet in Spring

Warm and Dry Feet in Spring 2020-04-06 20:28:33.000 - Rebecca Scholand, Summit Operations Manager   Mud season on the summit of Mount Washington isn’t as muddy as you would think. Because the summit is primarily

A Note About Our Afternoon Forecasts

April 3rd, 2020|Comments Off on A Note About Our Afternoon Forecasts

A Note About Our Afternoon Forecasts 2020-04-03 16:22:08.000 - MWO Staff, Mount Washington Observatory   At this time, Mount Washington Observatory has decided to suspend our afternoon Higher Summit’s Forecast in both written and recorded

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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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