STUDY OF THE ABILITY OF METEOROLOGISTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE GENERAL PUBIJC AND THE PUBIJC'S AT'ITI'UDE TOWARD VARIOUS WEATHER-RELATED SUBJECTS

A survey of the general public was conducted by the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. One sample consisted of Federal Building employees and a second comprised NOAA Weather Radio (to be refer~ed to as the NWR) listeners. The goals were to get a better understanding of their opin-ions on various weather-related subjects, to com-pare the results of each sample, and to appraise the meteorologists ' ability to communicate with the general pUblic. Are meteorologists able to effectively convey practical weather information to the general pub-lic? Are public forecast formats flexible enough to accommodate the needs IIno priorities of our customers? Are there differences between the written forecast and the impression the public receives after hearing that forecast? Do meteor-ologists inadvertently undermine the listening audience's confidence in their profession by issu-ing accurate forecasts and timely warnin!(S which confuse rather than inform? Numerous questions can be raised concerning the communications link between disseminators of weather information and users, and the obstacles to success. Since most meteorological research is aimed at improving the ability to predict atmosoheric parameters and not toward enhancing the capabil-ity to express ideas, it was decided that a survey of a segment of the Il:eneral pUblic would be an appropriate, though small, first step in rectifying this imbalance. The main purposes of this study are to determine: A. If weather products are interpreted by the public in the manner intended, B. The types of weather information desired by the public, C. What sources the public relies on for weather information and the effectivenesS of the NWR,. D. Whether the NWR audience is representa-38 tive of the general pUblic, and if not, how does it differ, and E. What information is retained and under-stood after hearing a weather forecast by simulating actual listening conditions