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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

905, 2010

Contrasting weather

May 9th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

Contrasting weather 2010-05-09 17:32:32.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer and Meteorologist NULL Here are some weather stats from one week ago today (May 2):High Temperature: 58 degrees Fahrenheit (tied the daily record high, also set in 1936)Low Temperature: 47 degrees FahrenheitAverage Wind Speed: 35.5 mphLiquid Precipitation: TraceSnowfall: 0

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805, 2010

Saturday Shift Change

May 8th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

Saturday Shift Change 2010-05-08 22:42:36.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist Volunteer John Pearson captures the 1st cog of '10 Another Saturday, another successful shift change. Wait, something doesn't sound right in the previous sentence. If you frequently read our comments or have volunteered up here, the problem

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705, 2010

NULL

May 7th, 2010|Categories: Historical Posts|

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 musicals, singing and dancing is directly correlated to my upbringing. My dad

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A good day to get outside

January 14th, 2010|Comments Off on A good day to get outside

A good day to get outside 2010-01-14 17:57:36.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer and Meteorologist A happy observer in the East Snowfields Today was one of those rare winter days where winds drop below 10 mph,

The Lakes

January 13th, 2010|Comments Off on The Lakes

The Lakes 2010-01-13 09:48:19.000 - Al and Marion Lake,  Summit Volunteers Sunrise this morning WOW !!! What a difference a year makes! Marion and I have volunteered at the Observatory since the early 90's and

High Mountain Haircut

January 12th, 2010|Comments Off on High Mountain Haircut

High Mountain Haircut 2010-01-12 18:25:49.000 - Drew Hill,  Summit Intern Artist, Marion, works her magic. I woke up this morning to Observer Steve Welsh's voice looping in my head: ''Get a haircut, you hippie.''It had

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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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