Broadcasters input sought in National Weather Service survey of warnings, watches and advisories

Broadcasters are being asked for their feedback to help the National Weather Service improve NWS hazard messages.

“As part of its Hazard Simplification Project, the NWS is conducting a survey that is gauging how decision-makers use NWS watches, warnings and advisories,” said Paul Yura, chief of the NWS in Texas.

“The Decision-maker Survey will assess the extent to which organizations, at all levels and in various sectors, have formally incorporated watches, warnings and advisories into their decision-making processes via policies, protocols, and laws.” 

For instance, the survey will ascertain if are there agencies or businesses that have a specific, written policy stipulating that a specific set of actions must or should be carried out if a Blizzard Watch is issued.

Survey answers will provide insight on the potential policy impact on various key partners if NWS significantly changes watches, warnings or advisories, such as altering the meaning or name of a particular watch, warning or advisory.

Broadcasters are requested to take part in the survey as stations utilize NWS information to inform the public.

This survey will close after Oct. 31.

To take the survey, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/62DX6TC.

If you have any questions or comments, please email hazsimp@noaa.gov.