How should forecasters warn about tornadoes? Providing a scientifically validated risk communication toolkit and training to the National Weather Service

Abstract

Effective risk communication during hazards, like severe weather, has the potential to save lives. As part of a three-year project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we scientifically validated a risk communication toolkit and training for the National Weather Service. Specifically, we designed and completed six experiments with adult samples in the Southeast U.S. Three of these experiments examined how weather risk communicators can use quiet weather periods to build relationships and three of these experiments examined how weather risk communicators can effectively communicate risks during high-impact weather. Here we archive our experimental protocols to facilitate dissemination of scientific knowledge and to assist future research.