Winter Questions Watch Advisory Scenarios

OMB Control No. 0648-0342
Expiration Date: 5/31/2018

The Hazard Simplification team would like to collect public comments via a voluntary survey in order to consolidate the various “Advisory” message types for winter weather and flooding into one “Advisory” message each.  Specifically, the idea is to simply issue one “Winter Weather Advisory” product and one “Flood Advisory” product and specify the recommended action and specific impacts directly underneath the headline.

As a note, Flood Advisories for Forecast Points would remain as an individual message in this proposal. Also, for our partners, all products would be issued under the WW.A Valid Time Event Code.

As part of the consolidation proposal for these hazards, the Haz Simp team is also suggesting that we focus and shorten the text contained within the messages for improved readability and understanding.

The examples in the survey depict examples of current winter weather and flood Advisories (as well as current Flood Watches) shown side-by-side with the proposed consolidated and condensed messages. We welcome your comments on these proposals via this survey.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other suggestions for reducing this burden to: [email protected]

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subjected to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number

Winter Weather Questions:

Section I: NWS Message Understanding and Usage

1. Please select the correct definition of “Advisory”

   1. NWS forecasts the potential for a significant hazard. Timing and/or occurrence is still uncertain.

   2. NWS forecasts caution for notable hazards that are imminent or occurring - but are not inherently dangerous.

   3. NWS forecasts for a dangerous hazard that is imminent or occurring. Significant threat to life and/or property.

2. Please select the correct definition of “Watch”

   1. NWS forecasts the potential for a significant hazard. Timing and/or occurrence is still uncertain.

   2. NWS forecasts caution for notable hazards that are imminent or occurring - but are not inherently dangerous.

   3. NWS forecasts for a dangerous hazard that is imminent or occurring. Significant threat to life and/or property.

3. Which category best describes your job? Please select one options from the list below, or select other and type in your category.
   
   

1. Emergency Management/First Responders

2. Department of Transportation

3. Public Works

4. Post- Secondary School

5. University

6. Hospital, or other

7. Non-emergency medical facility

8. Insurance

9. Reinsurance

10. Meteorologist

11. Electric Companies

12. Local Government

13. State Government

14. Government Agency

    1. Please List: _____________________________

15. Broadcast Meteorologist

16. Media

17. Other __________________

18. Not currently employed

4. The NWS uses the following “Advisory” products to convey expectations regarding winter weather: Please select all with which you are familiar

1. Winter Weather Advisory

2. Freezing Rain Advisory

3. Wind Chill Advisory

4. Lake Effect Snow Advisory

5. Please select the choice below that you believe best represents the difference between a “Winter Weather Advisory” and a “Freezing Rain Advisory”

1. A Winter Weather Advisory means freezing rain is possible, while a Freezing Rain Advisory means freezing rain is occurring or certain.
   
   

2. A Winter Weather Advisory means light freezing rain is expected, while a Freezing Rain Advisory means heavier freezing rain is possible.
   
   

3. A Winter Weather Advisory means mixed light winter precipitation (snow and/or sleet) is possible, while a Freezing Rain Advisory means light freezing rain is expected.
   
   

4. A Winter Weather Advisory means mixed light winter precipitation (snow and/or sleet) is possible, while a Freezing Rain Advisory means heavy freezing rain is expected.

6. How, if at all, do you use NWS Advisory messages? (Check all that apply)

1. Explain weather threats/risks to the others

2. Your personal awareness

3. Your personal preparedness (eg having enough supplies, groceries, etc.)

4. Plan for your personal travel disruptions

5. Prepare for travel disruptions of your staff/colleagues

6. Deploy/Pre-position resources

7. Determine staffing needs

8. Make decisions to close facilities/activities (e.g. cancel/delay school)

9. I do not use NWS Advisory messages

10. I’m not sure what NWS Advisory messages are

11. Other _________________________

7. How do you normally learn about forecasted Advisories or Watches? (select all that apply)

1. Local Television

2. Social Media

3. Local Radio

4. Third-Party App

5. NWS or Another Weather Service Provider’s Website

6. Friends and Family

7. NOAA Weather Radio

8. I don’t know

9. I’m not sure what winter weather watches or advisories are

10. Other (please describe)

8. Do you believe there are limitations or shortcomings with how NWS uses this current set of Advisories to alert you to winter weather hazards?

Yes No

9. If you answered yes to the question above, what do you believe is (are) the main issue(s) of the current Advisory messages for winter weather? Select as many as apply.

1. I do not understand the difference between the messages

2. Forecasted severity is unclear within the messages

3. Forecast hazard type is unclear within the messages

4. There are often too many different kinds of messages issued for my area at the same time, and it’s confusing

5. The Advisory messages are difficult to understand

6. The Advisory messages are too long

7. Other (please describe)
   
   

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Section 2: Comments on NWS Advisory Consolidation Proposal

The NWS is considering a proposal to consolidate the existing suite of winter weather Advisory messages (Freezing Rain, Lake Effect, Wind Chill and Winter Weather) so that there’s only one “Winter Weather Advisory” headline. All of the same information in the current messages would be retained; it would just be presented differently. As part of this effort, NWS is also considering shortening its winter weather Advisory messages. We want to know if you would find these proposed changes helpful and/or if they raise any concerns.

We will now show you an example of the current winter weather advisory first, and then the consolidated winter weather advisory. Please answer the questions that follow.

Comparison Questions: Display two current Advisories and two proposed alternatives and ask close ended comprehension questions

10. Does the proposed prototype alleviate the current limitation(s) you identified above?

Yes No

11. Does the proposed prototype improve the hazard message clarity?

Yes No

12. Do you feel your job duties or other uses of winter weather advisories could be negatively impacted by this consolidation?

Yes No

If yes, please describe your concerns:

13. Do you believe the NWS should proceed with the proposed consolidation of its Winter Advisory messages?

Yes No

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