© Crown copyright Met Office Public Education on warning services Sarah Davies UK Met Office Tuesday 27 th November 2012.

© Crown copyright Met Office

Public Education on warning servicesSarah Davies UK Met Office

Tuesday 27th November 2012


What does the public need to know?• Using what we discussed in the last session…

• Met Office example – the National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS)

• Ideas for educating the public


• National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS)

• Warnings of weather which will impact on daily life

• We have worked with partner agencies to develop a risk matrix

• The alert/warning will provide a combination of• The potential impact the weather will have• The likelihood of the weather happening

NSWWS


NSWWS - Impact Matrix

HIGH

MED

LOW XVERY LOW

VERY LOW

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

IMPACT

We then plot them on the risk matrix

LIK

EL

IHO

OD

Then assign a colour to the warning which is a combination of potential impact and likelihood


NSWWS - Colour Codes

NO SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTEDKeep up to date with latest forecast

BE AWARE Remain alert and keep up to date with latest forecast

BE PREPAREDRemain vigilant, keep up to date with latest forecast and take precautions where possible

TAKE ACTIONRemain extra vigilant, keep up to date with latest forecast. Follow orders and any advice given by authorities and be prepared for extraordinary measures


Rain Wind Snow Fog Ice

Icons indicating the weather element

5-day overview

NSWWS - Web Display (UK)


NSWWS - Web Display (UK)

Chief Forecaster’sAssessment

Risk Matrix


Impactshttp://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/advice/

Very Low Low Medium HighImpact and advice associated with SNOW

Small amounts of snow lying on roads and pavements so some slippery road surfaces possible.Traffic may move generally slower than normal.Take extra care when walking, cycling or driving in affected areas.

More widespread snow lying on roads and pavements but road networks generally open.Care needed with only localised travel disruption.Problems mostly confined to usual prone areas.Take extra care when walking, cycling or driving in affected areas.Journeys through affected areas may take longer than usual.

Widespread snow with a number of road closures, others passable only with care.BE PREPARED for some disruption to road, rail and air transport with difficult driving conditions likely and longer journey times.

Widespread deep snow with many roads closed or impassable.Roads likely to become impassable with high risk of drivers becoming stranded.Significant disruption to road, rail and air transport.Risk to personal safety.Expect significant disruption to normal day to day life as a result of transport issues, school closures etc.Avoid making unnecessary journeys.

Other impacts specific to rain, wind, ice and fog also listed.


Public Appreciation

90% of the public think Met Office weather warnings are useful


Public products & services

• Public website• Warnings Service• Forecasts for media (BBC, ITV, etc)• Widgets and gadgets• Mountain Area Forecast • RSS feeds• iPhone App• Mobile Weather• Library and Archive• Twitter and Facebook


What other ways can we educate the public?• Pamphlets, leaflets and brochures (NSWWS

leaflet distributed across Scotland as part of Get Ready for Winter Campaign)

• Public meetings• Open days• Shows and exhibitions (eg Outdoor show,

Gardeners World exhibition etc)• School talks, and school based internet

packages (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/education/)



What other ways can we educate the public?• Any other ideas?


TV, Friends, Flags, E-mail


Radio, Newspapers, Twitter.


Facebook, Text messaging, Sirens


Websites, Signs, Community Wardens, Loud hailer


Questions

© Crown copyright Met Office Public Education on warning services Sarah Davies UK Met Office Tuesday 27 th November 2012.

Documents

nswws slide

public slide

office weather warnings

session met office example

likelihood slide

useful slide

weather element

widespread snow