NWS Soliciting Comments on Transition to Plain Language from Advisory

[Randy Jennings]

The National Weather Service (NWS) is soliciting comments through September 17, 2023 on major changes to its hazard messaging headlines coming no earlier than calendar year 2025. A Service Change Notice (SCN) will be sent to specify the exact date for this change. This decision is based on results of extensive social science research with partners and the public, which documented significant confusion with the “Advisory” headline term. The major changes are as follows:

- All “Advisory” products within what is currently the NWS Watch, Warning and Advisory system will be replaced with plain language headlines that clearly articulate the nature of the hazard. These messages will continue to be equipped with computer-readable Valid Time Event Code (VTEC).
- Exceptions to the transition to plain language will apply to Tsunami and Small Craft Advisories. The Small Craft Advisory will be transitioned to a Small Craft Warning. The Tsunami Advisory will remain unchanged while further research is underway.
- All “Special Weather Statements” (SPS’) will be discontinued, also in favor of plain language headlines. In addition, these messages will be in bulleted “What, Where, When, Impacts” format and equipped with VTEC.

The NWS is now seeking public comment on the format and display of the plain language headlines. The following Product Description Document (PDD) provides a description of the technical and display details associated with this change. https://www.weather.gov/media/notification/PDDs/PDD_Haz_Simp.pdf

For more info and how to submit comments: pns23-49_nws_alerting_system_plain_language.pdf (weather.gov)

 

[Mike Smith]

Some background on Randy's post: The "warning simplification" movement has been going on since the JLN Tornado (and its nearly 300-word, confusing tornado warnings). There was a meeting of 125 invited meteorologists (all sectors) and emergency managers in KC in the autumn of 2013. The #1 recommendation to come out of the meeting was to cease issuing "advisories" as they are confusing and often counterproductive.

So, it is now year 12 of this process and it is still going on and on and on. Essentially, NWS HQ is divided on this issue and some hope that if they drag it out long enough, advisories will continue.

Before retiring in 2018, I worked extensively with the Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Railroad Administration. I worked occasionally with the NTSB. They are all a piece of cake when compared to the NWS. For example, NWS a few months ago announced that it will take five years to (choose one):

1. Design a new generation radar
2. Create a prototype of a new radar
3. Make a decision what type of new radar they want
4. Deploy a network of radars

The answer, of course, is #3 -- five years to simply make a decision (2028). This after turning down the offer from Congress to install gap-filler radars. The problem is that they are in love with the idea of Phased-Array Radars (which they have been tinkering with at NSSL for 20+ years) but can't get them to work they way they need them to. So, by stalling, they hope they can find a way to make PARs work. Meanwhile, the existing radars break down constantly and, as we have discussed, tornadoes go unwarned.

So, I suspect that whatever input we give regarding advisories will simply serve to drag the process out further. By all means, respond if you wish. But, don't expect anything to happen anytime soon.

 

[Jeff Wright]

Maybe some hope can come from the space arena:

Tomorrow.io announces first weather report from space-based radar

Washington DC (UPI) Aug 24, 2023 - Joining the likes of NASA, weather intelligence company Tomorrow.io said Thursday its radar satellites have the unique ability to monitor precipitation intensity from space.

www.spacedaily.com

Perhaps some letters to Elon Musk for help.