3.9
376 reviews
50K+
Downloads
Content rating
Everyone
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About this app

mPING UPDATED September 2, 2020! Download the update now!
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The Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground project (mPING) needs you, the Citizen Scientist, to watch and report on precipitation.

mPING is looking for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to make observations - teachers, classes, families, everyone, and anyone! This app is your portal for providing observations to researchers at NSSL. Your reports will help them develop and refine algorithms that use the newly upgraded dual-polarization NEXRAD radars to detect and report on the type of precipitation that you see falling. To do a good job, we need tens of thousands of observations from all over the US. We can succeed only with your help.

mPING volunteer observers can spend as much time as they want, from a little to a lot, making observations. The basic idea is simple: NSSL will collect radar data from NEXRAD radars in your area along with sounding data from our models during storm events, and use your data to develop and validate new and better algorithms. We have two focus areas: winter precipitation types, such as rain, freezing rain, drizzle, freezing drizzle, snow, graupel, ice pellets, mixed rain and snow, mixed ice pellets and snow and even observations of “none” when the precipitation has stopped, even if only briefly.

Why? Because the radars cannot see close to the ground at far distances and because automated surface sensors are only at airports. But the people affected by winter weather are everywhere so we need you to tell us what is happening where you are.

But we need more than winter weather details: when there are thunderstorms, we need to know if hail falls and, if it does, how big it is. Measuring with a ruler is best but, whatever you do, stay safe.

All you need to do is use this app to select the precipitation type. Tell us what is hitting the ground. NSSL scientists will compare your report with what the radar has detected and what our models think the atmosphere is doing, and use it to develop new technologies and techniques to determine what kind of precipitation such as snow, ice, rain or hail and its size is falling where.
Updated on
Jul 30, 2024

Data safety

Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
This app may share these data types with third parties
Location
This app may collect these data types
Location
Data isn’t encrypted
Data can’t be deleted

Ratings and reviews

3.9
354 reviews
A Google user
December 24, 2019
I've used this application as a user for over three years. It's great to see weather when traveling. Users need to send "No Report" after they've had significant WX such as heavy rain & snow to indicate the storm has moved out of your area. I've found this app not only very informative to let me know how the storms are moving, but also, it's doggone fun.
39 people found this review helpful
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Bob Mertz (bobkmertz)
June 27, 2024
After opening the app it just says "Please wait" and the progress bar doesn't move anymore than the initial bit. The icon keeps spinning. I can click the option menu and get the "About" dialog, which is Version (8) 2.1.3, but nothing else ever happens.
1 person found this review helpful