This spring, CIMMS scientists in the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed are exploring new ideas about how meteorologists communicate forecast information. A number of partners from across the weather enterprise, including emergency managers, broadcasters, National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters, and research and social scientists have come together to examine emerging scientific concepts and techniques.
The Probabilistic Hazards Information (PHI) – Prototype experiment runs for three weeks in May and June. During each week, the participants act out both real-time and archived weather scenarios using the developing PHI tool and NWS Hazards Simplification guidance. Social and behavioral scientists embed within each group to learn more about their decision-making processes and identify how coordination efforts might be improved. The goal is to devise a better warning system for the entire nation based on new, universally accepted tools.
CIMMS researchers supporting this effort include Chris Karstens, James Correia, Jr., Kristin Calhoun, Tiffany Meyer, and Travis Smith. Dr. Susan Jasko, a professor at California University of Pennsylvania, is leading the effort in the media room along with CIMMS’ Kodi Nemunaitis-Monroe and Holly Obermeier.
You can follow along with activities in the HWT here.