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Despite the high mortality rate from extreme heat and extensive research on its physiological impacts, a notable gap exists in understanding how heat and its associated risks and recommended protective actions are communicated–especially among pregnant people. This research addresses that gap by exploring how English- and Spanish-speaking pregnant people access and use extreme heat information.…
This research study aims to improve National Weather Service (NWS) heat communication. Through a mixed-methods approach, researchers will generate a national baseline assessment of how people access NWS heat information, and determine the extent of the public’s knowledge and understanding of heat risks, impacts, and vulnerabilities.
This research project aims to estimate the socio-economic benefits from augmented aircraft hurricane observations (AO) and advance methodologies for cost-benefit assessments. A statistical analysis linking the occurrence of different AO types to hurricane forecast performance will be evaluated. The information gathered from this research project will be useful for additional forecasting observation systems and new…
National Weather Service (NWS) Meteorologists use data from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) to create severe weather forecast graphics and information customized to their local area. However, these forecasts often lack the temporal specificity needed by local decision-makers. This research project aims to improve SPC’s new graphical product, called Severe Timing Guidance, using feedback collected…
Brief Vulnerability Overview Tool (BVOT) is crucial for tailored weather messaging and emergency preparedness. It can provide meteorologists and emergency managers consistent spatial-situational awareness of critical social vulnerabilities. This research project involves refining their established methodologies for collecting operationally-actionable vulnerability information. Ultimately, the goal is to train forecasters how to set up BVOTs independently.
Flood inundation maps (FIM) are a common visual way to communicate flood risk, but there is little research on such products. This mixed-methods research project will use focus groups and surveys to explore how FIM products support flooding decision-making among professional users and the general public to improve FIM product delivery and design.
The goal of this project is to document the challenges and nuances that broadcasters who serve Spanish-speaking populations face in generating translated risk information and naming conventions for compound, multi-hazard tropical events. Qualitative findings from broadcast meteorologists will enable NWS partners in Spanish-speaking and bilingual broadcast meteorology markets to better convey multi-hazard risks to Spanish-speaking…
The Southeast US (SEUS) is uniquely impacted by nocturnal tornadoes and flash floods; these events are difficult to forecast and warnings are often under-received due to the timing. This interdisciplinary project assesses spatiotemporal patterns and social/behavioral risk factors for SEUS nocturnal tornadoes and flash floods, especially among socially vulnerable populations. The aim is to improve…
Breakdowns in early weather warning communications can prevent people–especially underrepresented populations such as migrants and refugees–from taking protective action behavior. This mixed-methods project aims to develop a replicable methodology to effectively map and analyze the information ecosystems of underserved populations in the U.S. during extreme weather, with an emphasis on migrant and refugee populations.
