The National Weather Service is seeking input from the public on new language it’s considering for weather alerts. Traditionally, forecasters use words like “warning”, “watch” and “advisory”. But not everyone understands exactly what each term means.
So 26 Weather Service offices across the country have started a pilot program to use some new language that explains in greater detail what weather is being predicted. The program got underway earlier this month.
“Feedback has been rather mixed," says John Keyes, a forecaster with the NWS office in Pocatello. "And we were expecting that. Some people are saying keep it the way it is. It’s been this way for so long. And other people [are] like ‘We like the other language better.’ It’s easier to understand for those types of folks."
The Boise office of the National Weather Service is not part of the program. The trial will end next spring. Keyes says feedback will be considered before a final decision is made on whether to make the new language permanent.
You can learn more about the new language here.
