Uncertainty and Consistency: Key Dimensions in Weather/Hazard Messaging

This presentation will examine what research about weather and hazard messaging can tell us about both the uncertainty inherent in all communication and messaging. Looking at case examples and research consensus (or the lack thereof), this analysis will draw inferences about how communicative uncertainty relates to perceived message consistency. Drawing upon this research, communication and linguistic theory, practical and applied insights garnered from field work, observations are drawn about how weather and hazard messaging can anchor meaning for the target publics involved in the weather enterprise.