mPing, developed by the University of Oklahoma Information Technology, is an app that allows users to contribute to severe weather research as Citizen Scientists. The app is part of the Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground project (mPING) and aims to gather observations on precipitation from volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

With mPing, users can report on the type of precipitation they observe falling in their area. These reports are crucial in helping researchers at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory develop and refine algorithms that utilize dual-polarization NEXRAD radars to detect and analyze precipitation. The goal is to collect tens of thousands of observations from all over the US to improve the accuracy of weather predictions.

Whether it's rain, snow, hail, or freezing rain, mPing allows users to easily select the precipitation type and provide valuable data. The app also encourages users to measure the size of hail if it falls during thunderstorms, although safety is emphasized throughout the process.

By participating in mPing, volunteers play a vital role in advancing severe weather research and improving the understanding of weather phenomena. Join the Citizen Scientist community and contribute to this important project by downloading mPing for free on your iPhone.