Survey DiscussionSurvey Discussion

Steve WilkinsonSteve Wilkinson

Warning Coordination Warning Coordination MeteorologistMeteorologist

National Weather Service National Weather Service

Jackson, MississippiJackson, Mississippi

Importance of Trained Importance of Trained Spotter ReportsSpotter Reports

• When we put “trained spotters reported a When we put “trained spotters reported a tornado” 81% tornado” 81% take immediate sheltertake immediate shelter

• Compare this with:Compare this with:

- ““Doppler radar indicated a tornado near your Doppler radar indicated a tornado near your location” - 68%location” - 68%

- ““A tornado was near your location” – 66%A tornado was near your location” – 66%

- ““Public reported a tornado” - 61%Public reported a tornado” - 61%

- ““Doppler radar indicated a possible tornado” - Doppler radar indicated a possible tornado” - 25% 25%

- ““NWS meteorologists..severe thunderstorm NWS meteorologists..severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado” – 24% capable of producing a tornado” – 24%

• Bottom two are currently default wording unless Bottom two are currently default wording unless we get a reportwe get a report

Most effective sourcesMost effective sourcesof warning informationof warning information

•NOAA Weather Radio (28%)NOAA Weather Radio (28%)

•Cell phone services – (24%)Cell phone services – (24%)

•Television – (22%)Television – (22%)

•Sirens – (8%)Sirens – (8%)

•Automated calls getting more Automated calls getting more widespread across the area (3.6%)widespread across the area (3.6%)

•Social media (3.4% but likely Social media (3.4% but likely higher for younger generation)higher for younger generation)

Strong Wording in Strong Wording in Outlook…Watches and Outlook…Watches and

WarningsWarnings

•91% say that they prepare more than normal when they hear:- Violent and strong tornado potential- Long track tornadoes- Particularly Dangerous Situation

•Please help us get the word out when we use strong wording

Those who do not take immediate cover

• 31% seek a second source of information before taking cover (assume it is in their area)

• Typical scenario – 44% take immediate cover and 31% take cover when they hear the warning from a second source

• This leaves 25% that wait for visual confirmation or take no action

• How do we reach these people?

How many tornado How many tornado warnings are issued for warnings are issued for your location each year?your location each year?•27% picked more than 10 warnings27% picked more than 10 warnings

•24% picked 7-10 warnings24% picked 7-10 warnings

•33% picked 4-6 warnings33% picked 4-6 warnings

•84% believe they are warned 4+ 84% believe they are warned 4+ times each yeartimes each year

•Accurate if consider warnings by Accurate if consider warnings by county...but using polygons the county...but using polygons the average in JAN CWA is 3/yearaverage in JAN CWA is 3/year

Recommendation from Joplin MO Service

Assessment• The NWS should collaborate with

partners throughout the weather enterprise to provide a better coordinated warning message. Guidance should be developed to assist partners in the development of local warning systems and siren strategies that work in conjunction with the NWS warnings rather than independent of them.

We need to get sirens and weather radio consistent with the polygon warnings

•Midland Radio will be conducting a test in northern Alabama soon with the goal of accelerating the delivery of site specific weather radios – Bruce

•MCDEMA…MEMA…NWS are forming a team to develop recommended siren policies for the state