Color vision differences in weather messaging: An examination of layperson perceptions and preferences

Around 2015, Bolton began to bring attention to his observation that weather data product accessibility for individuals with color vision differences (i.e., color blindness) was majorly lacking. Striking differences in the processing of red and green shades and hues affect about 1 in 12 men, while they are rarer in women with occurrence at 1 in about 200 (note, other types of color processing difference, such as blue-yellow, exist, but here we focus on the most common difference). Compare this with the 1 in 11 children aged 4-17 and 1 in 25 adults with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and the 1 in 36 children and 1 in 50 adults on the autism spectrum–two vulnerable populations the weather enterprise has embraced recently through the work of Bolton, Hanes, Huyck, and Kalb as well as the AMS Board on Representation, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Diversity and National Weather Association Diversity Committee. Continued color vision difference advocacy from 2016-2018 led to increased awareness of and action on the matter: Broadcast meteorologists changed their radar and satellite color tables; the National Weather Service reduced the number of colors used in certain non-radar products; and accessible color tables were implemented in popular radar software programs including RadarScope and the open source Py-ART just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, no research has been undertaken to empirically examine questions in this area. Here, we highlight continuing issues in weather messaging with respect to color processing difference accessibility and present preliminary results of an ongoing study into perceptions and preferences on the use of color in weather radar visualizations, accounting for the influence of color vision differences. Findings are presented in light of “best practice” recommendations on the use of color in weather messaging.