mPING | Crowdsourcing Weather Reports | CitizenScience.gov
A mobile app for crowdsourcing weather reports to improve forecast accuracy.
About
mPING is a citizen science project by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that allows volunteers to report various types of precipitation and weather conditions using a mobile application. The data collected helps meteorologists at the National Severe Storms Laboratory develop and improve weather-predicting algorithms. Users can report on rain, freezing rain, drizzle, snow, ice pellets, wind damage, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and reduced visibility. The project aims to create a comprehensive database of weather information to enhance meteorological predictions.
Key Features
- Real-time weather reporting through a mobile app
- User-friendly interface for quick and easy submissions
- Wide range of reportable weather conditions
- Data displayed on a real-time U.S. map
- Contributes to improving weather forecast models
Use Cases
- Weather enthusiasts wanting to contribute to meteorological research
- Meteorologists and weather forecasters seeking to improve prediction models
- Road maintenance and aviation operations for icing forecasts
- National Weather Service offices for fine-tuning local forecasts
- Researchers studying precipitation patterns and types
Unique Aspects
mPING uniquely combines crowdsourced weather observations with scientific research to improve weather forecasting algorithms and models.
Compatibilities
- Compatible with most mobile devices with GPS capabilities
- Data integration with National Weather Service systems
Pros
- Simple and intuitive reporting process
- Contributes to scientific research and improved weather forecasting
- Allows users to actively participate in citizen science
- Provides valuable data for various weather-related applications
Cons
- Requires a mobile device with GPS capabilities
- Not all mobile device platforms are supported
- Potential for slight location discrepancies with poor GPS reception
Our Rating
Ease of Use
5
Features
4
Value
5
Pricing
Free
$0
- Full access to the mPING mobile app
- Ability to submit weather reports
- View real-time weather data on the map
mPING is a free citizen science project with no paid plans.
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