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

3012, 2009

Dennis’s Comment

adm_mwobs2009-12-30T10:54:06-05:00December 30th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Dennis's Comment 2009-12-30 10:54:06.000 - Dennis Vienneau, Summit Volunteer Christmas Morning Sunrise This has been a week of extremes. We came up with the usual shift change last Wednesday with a very smooth uneventful Cat ride up the mountain with both the wind speed and temperature in

2912, 2009

Summer intern Scott Wehrwein returns to the summit for a winter week

adm_mwobs2009-12-29T12:13:39-05:00December 29th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Summer intern Scott Wehrwein returns to the summit for a winter week 2009-12-29 12:13:39.000 - Scott Wehrwein, Summit Intern Mountain Shadow on Christmas Morning Everything is better in the winter.This is what I heard over and over, throughout my summer internship here. My shift was kind enough

2812, 2009

Glaze

adm_mwobs2009-12-28T05:34:18-05:00December 28th, 2009|Categories: Historical Posts|

Glaze 2009-12-28 05:34:18.000 - Mike Carmon, Staff Meteorologist Generally, the word "glaze" has a positive connotation to it.Glazed donuts are some of the best!Glaze icings are always popular on sweet treats.Glazing agents are added to foods to give them a shiny appearance or to protect them.However, yesterday

Previous 968969970 Next

Support Us

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

We cannot do this without your support!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW