The National Weather Services is asking for help from the public. Apparently the messages that the NWS uses in their warnings and advisory's (WWA), are hard for some to understand and this process of making a simpler message is a result of the Weather-Ready Nation project (Click here to learn more).
I have to admit that some of the messages used are a bit difficult to follow before I read up on this subject last year, but that is where we should be concerned. In an event of an emergency we should not need a study guide on how to decipher warning messages during an emergency. Now of course, much of the public do not access the direct warnings from The National Weather Service, however those who do may greatly benefit from this proposed change. I firmly believe that our recent experiences with T.S. Irene and Hurricane Sandy has pushed concern from the public for clear warning messages and updates when a potential storm is detected. Have you read WWA warnings? Are they clear to you?
Here is what is used currently and the Proposed Simplified System (full details click (Here)
The language in the proposed official headlines will be translated to the proposed alternative
headlines as follows:
THE NWS HAS ISSUED A _____ WATCH
will be translated to
THE NWS FORECASTS THE POTENTIAL FOR ____
with the hazard type, level of certainty and expected impact(s) clearly stated in the rest of
the hazards message.
THE NWS HAS ISSUED A (N) ______ ADVISORY
will be translated to
THE NWS ADVISES CAUTION FOR ____
with the hazard type and expected impact(s) clearly stated
in the remainder of the hazards message.
THE NWS HAS ISSUED A ______ WARNING
will be translated to
THE NWS HAS ISSUED A WARNING FOR A ______
with the hazard type and expected impact(s) clearly stated in the remainder of the
hazards message.
We will retain the term “Warning” because of its direct connection to protection of life
and property but plan to eliminate the individual hazard products within the Warning
category.
You can voice your opinion on the proposed changes to messages used by The National Weather Service. If you wish to review more information and to submit your suggestions and what the message should be changed to, please do so here by clicking this next link; Send your comments or suggestions
Information about this story was respectfully collected from The National Weather Service website;
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