Tornado Communications: Meteorologists' Perceptions and Personal Geographies

Tornado events have seemingly become more routine in the Eastern United States over the past few decades; however, many residents lack the experiential knowledge to respond effectively to the threat of these severe storms. This presentation reports on the preliminary findings of a research project exploring how meteorologists may communicate and modify forecast recommendations based on personal experiences, personal geographies, and their perceptions of local resident responses and concerns. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve meteorologists in the greater DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) region. Early results suggest that meteorologists value creating inclusive recommendations on responding to tornadoes, and they are aware of the diverse challenges that their audiences face in regards to having access to safe locations during tornadoes. Additionally, the data suggests that meteorologists have a desire to create a better understanding of other severe weather events, most notably straight-line winds, due to their impact on the greater DMV region. Full analysis of results may identify better ways to convey the severity of weather threats to the public through improved weather communication practices, and ultimately save lives.