Citizen Scientists! Things you can do right now for next week
https://mping.ou.edu/
Cost is free. Easy to download app. Report real-time weather conditions via your phone.
Here is the official information via the website.
Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground (mPING) is a project designed to collect weather information from the public through their smart phone or mobile device with GPS location capabilities. NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory www.nssl.noaa.gov Crowdsourcing weather reports Using the free mPING app, anyone can submit a weather observation anonymously. The data immediately goes into a database at NSSL and is displayed on a map that is accessible to everyone. mPING was deployed in 2012 and developed through a partnership between NOAA/NSSL, the University of Oklahoma, and the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies. Dual-pol motivation All National Weather Service radars have been upgraded with dual-pol, a technology that is sensitive to the horizontal and vertical measurements of an object as well as its content (liquid water, ice, or a mixture). Dual-pol gives forecasters an estimate of the size and shape of an object, making it easier to tell the difference between liquid and frozen types of precipitation. Sorting precipitation NSSL/CIMMS researchers develop computer programs, or algorithms, that automatically sort radar echos of precipitation from non-precipitation such as birds, bats and bugs. The algorithms also sort precipitation into frozen or liquid categories, and further classify the echoes as rain, hail, snow, freezing rain or ice pellets. Radars cannot scan at the Earth’s surface, so direct observations at the surface are needed to confirm the precipitation type algorithms are working. With the mPING database, researchers can compare the public reports with radar echoes and make the algorithms more accurate. Other ways to use mPING reports mPING data is also used to improve weather computer models, predict ground icing for road maintenance and aviation operations, and predict the potential for in-flight icing. Many NWS forecast offices display the data on large monitors and use the reports to fine-tune their forecasts.
http://www.cocorahs.org/
Easy to use website.
Cost is free. However, proper equipment will run about $35 for a one-time expense for an official rain monitoring device.
The information below is taken from their website.
http://observer.globe.gov/
Free app easy and fun!
Here is information from their website.
Cost is free. Easy to download app. Report real-time weather conditions via your phone.
Here is the official information via the website.
Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground (mPING) is a project designed to collect weather information from the public through their smart phone or mobile device with GPS location capabilities. NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory www.nssl.noaa.gov Crowdsourcing weather reports Using the free mPING app, anyone can submit a weather observation anonymously. The data immediately goes into a database at NSSL and is displayed on a map that is accessible to everyone. mPING was deployed in 2012 and developed through a partnership between NOAA/NSSL, the University of Oklahoma, and the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies. Dual-pol motivation All National Weather Service radars have been upgraded with dual-pol, a technology that is sensitive to the horizontal and vertical measurements of an object as well as its content (liquid water, ice, or a mixture). Dual-pol gives forecasters an estimate of the size and shape of an object, making it easier to tell the difference between liquid and frozen types of precipitation. Sorting precipitation NSSL/CIMMS researchers develop computer programs, or algorithms, that automatically sort radar echos of precipitation from non-precipitation such as birds, bats and bugs. The algorithms also sort precipitation into frozen or liquid categories, and further classify the echoes as rain, hail, snow, freezing rain or ice pellets. Radars cannot scan at the Earth’s surface, so direct observations at the surface are needed to confirm the precipitation type algorithms are working. With the mPING database, researchers can compare the public reports with radar echoes and make the algorithms more accurate. Other ways to use mPING reports mPING data is also used to improve weather computer models, predict ground icing for road maintenance and aviation operations, and predict the potential for in-flight icing. Many NWS forecast offices display the data on large monitors and use the reports to fine-tune their forecasts.
http://www.cocorahs.org/
Easy to use website.
Cost is free. However, proper equipment will run about $35 for a one-time expense for an official rain monitoring device.
The information below is taken from their website.
What is CoCoRaHS?
CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. We are now in all fifty states.
http://observer.globe.gov/
Free app easy and fun!
Here is information from their website.
GLOBE Observer is an international network of citizen scientists and scientists working together to learn more about our shared environment and changing climate. To participate, just download the GLOBE Observer app and submit regular observations.
The GLOBE Observer Program currently accepts cloud observations with a planned expansion. The cloud observations help NASA scientists understand clouds from below (the ground) and above (from space). Clouds play an important role in transferring energy from the Sun to different parts of the Earth system. Since clouds can change rapidly, scientists need frequent observations from citizen scientists.
Since GLOBE Observer is part of the GLOBE program, citizen scientists are also providing data for student research, strengthening science education.
