The folks over at MassLive have a pretty cool user-generated map of snowfall in the Pioneer Valley going on as I write this post, allowing local residents to post their observations about weather conditions on an embedded Google map.

I hopped on to post my own findings when I ventured six feet out my front door to take a measurement. A paltry two inches of slush, but enough to cancel most of the classes on campus today.

I proselytize frequently on the value of Google Maps for local news organizations, and this is a great example of how to use a map to inform and engage your community. It’s also pretty useful information, considering most weather reports are based on measurements in a select few areas of a region, whereas this map has real measurements made by real people in real time. It’s certainly not an all-inclusive weather report, but it’s a good resource to plan your regional commute by.

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