Throwing Caution to the Wind: National Weather Service Wind Products as Perceived by a Weather-Salient Sample

Abstract

Weather products generated by the National Weather Service (NWS) are crucial for communicating information about weather events. However, it is unclear if the public understands those that exclusively involve wind terminology or the risk posed by nonconvective wind events. To further investigate these questions, we surveyed 373 members of the public from Georgia and Virginia who regularly obtain weather information from two weather blogs in each of the states. Participants completed an online survey designed to evaluate their familiarity with NWS wind products (high wind warning and wind advisory), perceived wind speed thresholds associated with these products, willingness to change plans based on these products, and finally, "weather salience"-the importance participants place on weather information. It was found that our participants scored higher on the weather salience measure compared to previous studies that examined the general public. In both states, these weather-attentive individuals defined high wind warnings (57.5%) and wind advisories (31.8%) in terms of impacts to their daily lives. Respondents also reported that they would be more likely to alter their plans for a high wind watch compared to a wind advisory, providing evidence of a spectrum of understanding about the NWS wind products. Although various NWS initiatives are currently experimenting with the watch/warning/advisory system and impact-based messaging, this study identifies the need to continue and expand this line of research to include all weather hazards (those convective and nonconvective in nature).