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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

811, 2021

With Shoulder Season Comes Critical Transition in Operations

November 8th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

With Shoulder Season Comes Critical Transition in Operations 2021-11-08 18:34:34.000 - Sam Robinson, Weather Observer/Engineer   Shoulder season is underway for us at the Mount Washington Observatory and it can certainly be a hectic time of year, posing unique challenges in regards to transportation to the summit

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2610, 2021

Bucket List Item Checked Off!!

October 26th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Bucket List Item Checked Off!! 2021-10-26 04:46:45.000 - Matthew Addison, Weather Observer   Greetings friends, my name is Matthew Addison, the newest Night Observer/Meteorologist here at the Mount Washington Observatory. When I began my meteorology career 26 years ago while serving in the United States Air Force,

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1410, 2021

Founding Day!

October 14th, 2021|Categories: Historical Posts|

Founding Day! 2021-10-14 15:25:42.000 - Mount Washington Observatory Staff, Weather Observers   Today we celebrate the founding of Mount Washington Observatory…   Setting the stage on October 15, 1932, Bob Monahan, Sal Pagliuca, Alex MacKenzie, and Joe Dodge set up a permanent presence on the summit. Using

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Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

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My First Shift on the Summit

January 19th, 2020|Comments Off on My First Shift on the Summit

My First Shift on the Summit 2020-01-19 10:10:36.000 - Caleb Buchler, Summit Intern   Hey! My name is Caleb Buchler and I am the other winter intern at the Summit. I graduated with my second

A Turn for the Snowy In Our Future?

January 13th, 2020|Comments Off on A Turn for the Snowy In Our Future?

A Turn for the Snowy In Our Future? 2020-01-13 09:12:47.000 - Thomas Padham, Weather Observer/Education Specialist     Brief clearing following the storm on January 12th revealed what was left of our snow.    After

Hello from the Summit of Mount Washington!

January 10th, 2020|Comments Off on Hello from the Summit of Mount Washington!

Hello from the Summit of Mount Washington! 2020-01-10 13:35:22.000 - Eve Cinquino, Summit Intern   Hello from the summit of Mount Washington! My name is Eve Cinquino, and I am one of the winter interns

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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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