Social Science Helping Build a Weather-Ready Nation

We have to connect the technology advancements and the application of physical sciences, which improves the forecasts, to the application of social sciences and an understanding of human factors to use those forecasts in decision making.

How to Start Social Science Research Importance of Social Science  within NWS Past Projects
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News & Announcements

April 22, 2022

WFO Denver/Boulder Hosts First Integrated Weather Team Workshop

Denver/Boulder

WFO Denver/Boulder hosted their first Integrated Weather Team (IWT) Workshop on April 22, 2022. Partners included were from various local news stations such as broadcast meteorologists, weather reporters, safety officials from police to hazmat services, and local/county/state emergency management.

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May 4, 2022

WFO Birmingham Hosts Diversity Workshop

Birmingham, AL

The National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Birmingham, AL hosted a Diversity Workshop on May 4, 2022 from 8 am to 4 pm CT. There were several robust discussions on increasing diversity and awareness for hiring panels, as well as protocol for someone who may witness or be subject to harassment or bullying.

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14 – 17 June 2022

49th Conference on Broadcast Meteorology/Sixth Conference on Weather Warnings and Communication

Milwaukee, WI
  • The 49th Conference on Broadcast Meteorology is organized by the Board on Broadcast Meteorology.
  • The Sixth Conference on Weather Warnings and Communication is organized by the Board on Societal Impacts and the Committee on Severe Local Storms.
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Map of Arrival times of Tropical Storm in color

Arrival of Tropical Storm Force Winds

To better meet users' needs, NHC has developed a set of graphics that depict when sustained tropical-storm-force winds from an approaching tropical cyclone could arrive at individual locations. The maps were developed and tested using social science techniques, including one-on-one telephone interviews, focus groups, and surveys with emergency managers, broadcast meteorologists, and NWS meteorologists to gather opinions on the idea, content, and design of the products.

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Annimation of FACETs warning over map

FACETs

Forecasting a Continuum of Environmental Threats (FACETs) is a proposed next-generation severe weather forecast and warning framework that is modern, flexible, and designed to communicate clear and simple hazardous weather information to serve the public. FACETs supports NOAA's Weather-Ready Nation initiative to build community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events.

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More NWS Current Social Science Activities