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Communications Strategies and Challenges
Before, During and After Severe Weather
How the National Weather Service is Improving Public Information
2020 Michigan’s Statewide Interoperable Communications Conference
Jim Maczko
NOAA National Weather Service
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Our Current SessionAgenda As of February 6, 2020 ☺
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Our Current Session
Longest Title on the Agenda!
19 Words
6 Words with 3 or more syllables
127 characters with no spaces
144 characters with spaces
Agenda As of February 6, 2020 ☺
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Shortest and Best TitleAgenda As of February 6, 2020 ☺
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Meteorologists
Can Be Wrong ALL THE TIMEand Keep Their Jobs
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The Perfect Answer Does Not Exist
The Perfect Answer Does Not Exist
The Perfect Answer Does Not Exist
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EveryoneAlso Knows…
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You Can AlwaysCount on Scientists to…
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Communicate Effectively“Blah Blah Big Word. Blah Blah Bigger Word.
Blah Blah Blah Biggest Word.”
“Let’s Move On”
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Over-Explain EVERYTHING!
Scientists Tend To…
Live Inside Our Own Bubble
Believe Everyone Shares Our Passion
Need Structure & Rules
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Meteorologists - Need of Structure & Rules
Watch, Warning, Advisories
Helped The National Weather Service Build
100 + Ways to SayWatch Out! or Take Action!
Specific Criteria for Each ProductX amount of snow or X mph winds
Black and White Decision PointsNot Based on Impacts of Weather
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Meteorologists – OVER-Explain Everything
System relative isentropic ascent up the 700-600mb extension of
sloped baroclinic zone has led to persistent light snow and haze
from roughly the DTW airfield back to the west over Southwest
Michigan. Model data shows higher theta e content feeding up
this frontal surface will be stripped out to the east. As a result
should see a diminishing trend to already light snow activity
during the remainder of the morning hours.
We Usually Lead With the WHY of Weather
“I’m Glad
Everyone Got It”
“Let’s Move On”
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Meteorologists – OVER-Explain Everything
System relative isentropic ascent up the 700-600mb extension of
sloped baroclinic zone has led to persistent light snow and haze
from roughly the DTW airfield back to the west over Southwest
Michigan. Model data shows higher theta e content feeding up
this frontal surface will be stripped out to the east. As a result
should see a diminishing trend to already light snow activity
during the remainder of the morning hours.
We Usually Lead With the WHY of Weather
“I’m Glad
Everyone Got It”
“Let’s Move On”
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Meteorologists – Live Inside Our Own Bubble
Traditionally We Only Talk and Listen to Ourselves
“People Don’t Take
TORNADO WARNING seriously”
“Let’s Create
TORNADO WARNING EMERGENCIES”NWSWeather
Weenies
NWS
NWS
TV Weather
Universities
NWS
NOTE: YES!!! Meteorologists Know Their Bubble is a CLOUD!
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Meteorologists – Believe Everyone Shares Our Passion
“I’m Glad
Everyone Got It”
“Let’s Move On”
And They Like When We OVER-Complicate Things
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When Your System Has Been Around Forever?
So How Do You Adapt Communication
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Think Communication is Working Perfectly?
And When So Many Inside Your Bubble
A well-oiled machine since 1870
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You Need a Game Changer (or several)
Deepwater Horizon
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Light Switch Moments to Shake Your Core
NWS Not Known to Many People, PartnersWhat TV Station Do You Work For?
Partly Cloudy, 30% Chance of RainDoesn’t Mean Squat to Anyone
Severe Weather Isn’t Just ThunderstormsAll Hazardous Weather = Severe Weather
Needs are What, When, WhereNo One Really Needs WHY Weather happens
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Realized the Need to Adapt - Learn - Grow
Weather-Ready Nation
Refocus & Better Meet the Mission
& Build a Weather-Ready Nation
To Help Communities Become…
✓ Ready ✓ Responsive ✓Resilient
To Increasing Vulnerabilities from Extreme Weather, Water, Climate Events, Environmental Hazards
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Catalyst for Bigger Change
Public Law 115-25 - 115th Congress (April 18, 2017)
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
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Defined Core Partners And Support Services
Emergency Management
CommunityGovernment Partners
Water Resource
ManagementElectronic Media
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Where Does the Weather Service Fit?
Mitigation
Prevention
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Traditionally Mostly in ResponseSome Preparedness
Maybe Recovery Too (though we weren’t aware)
Warnings and 7-day Forecasts
Focused on Weather Leading Up to the Event ‘Bang’
Our Storm Reports, Summaries Serving Only Us
Now and The Future - Active in AllWith Service to Partner Needs Above Our Own
Understand and Become Emergency Management
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Evolution in Storm Survey Methods
Traditional Approach - For Us, By Us
Where We Want, When We Want
May or May Not Have Told Local EM - EVER
Media Gets Info First – Local EM Finds Out Whenever, However
Now and The Future - Partner with EM, Community
Mostly Where/When EMs Need and Ask, Sometimes Where We Want
Always Inform EM Before Heading Out - Keep EM Updated Throughout
Media Gets Info After EMs – Coordinated Messaging, Public Information
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Plain Language + Simple Graphics
What, Where, When FocusKeeping the Why To Ourselves
Delivered Before Decisions Are MadeInstead of When Model Data Comes In
Recovery Weather & ImpactsSupporting As We Get Back to Normal
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Changing How We Describe Weather
Our Current Water Situation
Learning to Relate and Communicate
Great Lakes Drainage Record High Water Levels
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Changing How We Describe Weather
SAY: The Sponge Is FullOld: Total Soil Saturation
SAY: The Pipes Are Nearly FullOld: River System is at Max Capacity
SAY: The Bathtub is FullOld: Great Lakes are at Record Levels
Learning to Relate and Communicate
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Changing How We Describe Weather
SAY: Draining the Tub Takes TimeOld: Streamflow to the Oceans is a Lengthy Process
SAY: The Faucet Won’t Shut OffOld: Precipitation Pattern Abnormally Active
Learning to Relate and Communicate
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Leverage Emerging Technology
Wireless Emergency Alerts 2012
Targeted Phones
Hit People Where They Are At!
Biggest Advancement in Weather
Warnings Since NOAA Weather Radio
Tornado Warning
Flash Flood Warning
Blizzard Warning
Ice Storm Warning
Tsunami Warning
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Emerging Technology – Wireless Alerts
Tornado Warning
Flash Flood Warning
Blizzard Warning
Ice Storm Warning
Tsunami WarningFebruary 7, 2013: 45 Hours Long
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Emerging Technology – Wireless Alerts
Tornado Warning
Flash Flood Warning
Blizzard Warning
Ice Storm Warning
Tsunami WarningFebruary 7, 2013: 45 Hours Long
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Emerging Technology – Wireless Alerts
Tornado Warning
Flash Flood Warning
Snow Squall Warning
Tsunami Warning
Fall 2018 Debut
Meant for People on Major Roads/Highways
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Emerging Technology – Wireless Alerts
Tornado Warning
Flash Flood Warning
Snow Squall Warning
Tsunami Warning
Jan 8, 2020
NWS Mt Holly – 12 Warnings
Total Population Warned: 9.5 Million
One Warning For: 2.5 Million People
? ? ?
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Emerging Technology – Wireless Alerts
Tornado Warning
Flash Flood Warning (NWS saying 80% reduction of WEA 2020 and beyond)
Snow Squall Warning (will it stay or will it go?)
Severe Thunderstorm Warning (2020 or 2021?)
Tsunami Warning
More Changes to Come
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The Perfect Answer Does Not Exist
The Perfect Answer Does Not Exist
The Perfect Answer Does Not Exist
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Thank You!
Safe Travels!