Blog 7: Exploring the Importance of Weather Literacy
Exploring Weather Literacy: The Importance of Understanding the Weather Around You
Weather literacy. For those endlessly intertwined within the world of atmospheric science and storm chasing, weather literacy is like second nature. Knowledge comes easily as it's not only craved, but actively sought out. For those who aren't weather enthusiasts, our own friends, family members, or coworkers— weather literacy can be difficult to come by.
What exactly is weather literacy? What does it mean to be weather aware, why is it important, and how can it help shape our communities for the better? In today's blog, we explore the critical impact of weather literacy and how it empowers us to make better decisions about our personal safety.
What is Weather Literacy?
Have you ever seen a video of an individual or group of people outdoors, hair standing straight up from their head— charged with electricity, and they have seemingly no idea of the impending danger of a lightning strike? Have you ever known a friend or family member who was blissfully unaware of the difference between a tornado watch and warning? Perhaps you are one of those people yourself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being uninformed. After all, basic weather safety isn't taught in schools.
But critically, weather awareness isn't and shouldn't be just for enthusiasts and experts. To be weather literate doesn't mean to be an expert on atmospheric science and all its phenomena. Weather literacy and awareness are learned skills— it includes having basic knowledge on weather traits and characteristics that empowers us to make better, more informed decisions on our own safety. Life-altering weather happens constantly, whether or not we see or are part of it. While not every storm impacts us directly, it only takes one to alter our life path. It's up to us how equipped and prepared we are to take that storm on. If we want to address risk mitigation in the weather enterprise, address why dozens of lives are still lost every year to storms, then we must address the glaring lack of weather literacy.
So that brings us to the question, why is weather literacy and awareness so important? Surely the general public is somewhat weather aware, right? A 2020 research article in the AMS Journal by Christopher Nunley and Kathleen Sherman-Morris explores the relationship between risk communication and decision-making within the context of severe weather. Throughout the considerations of the research, comparisons are made between the general public's self-perceived weather knowledge, and their actual understanding of it. When applying the Dunning-Kruger Effect (DKE) to the context of weather literacy, we can begin to understand that the general public often conflates their own understanding of weather knowledge, even when they might not fully understand— an element that is readily explored in the 2020 publication.
According to the Nunley Sherman-Morris article, almost three-fourths (73%) of survivors of a natural disaster showed signs of Dunning-Kruger Effect indicators. Additional studies post- Hurricane Katrina showed how detrimental that can be:
'As the dangerous hurricane approached the coast of Louisiana, the hospital administrators at Pendleton Methodist Hospital decided to neither evacuate nor remove the backup power generator from the basement of the hospital which flooded frequently. the flooding caused power failure, leading to a patient dying. The court records showed the administration was skilled in the hospital operations but lacked the knowledge necessary to properly plan and safeguard for the patients during a natural disaster. This case shows a clear lack of skill awareness by hospital administrators in which the administrators were overly confident in their ability to prepare and respond to natural disasters-- an example of DKE'
Why might this be dangerous? Despite living in a world of readily-available information, myths and misunderstandings of meteorological data are still shockingly common. This is why we still see examples of individuals who believe tornadoes can't hit cities next to rivers, why we still have people who shelter under overpasses, and why we still see videos of people golfing outside during a storm with lightning present. Now we begin to see the detrimental side, the underbelly of DKE in a weather context. Through this lens, let's now explore what weather literacy looks like.
So for those who might not be weather aware, or for those who have family or friends who might need assistance, what's the solution? Fortunately, weather information and educational resources are readily available. From National Weather Service seminars and online courses, to publicly available weather models, to educational YouTube videos, to free online guides on how to read a hodograph, to your local NWS office's Twitter account-- information is out there! You don't need to be an expert on cloud types or the inner workings of anticyclonic tornadoes, just being aware of your surroundings and preparing adequately makes the difference.
Developing weather literacy and awareness means more than keeping yourself dry during a rain shower, it’s a skill that empowers us to navigate the inevitably tumultuous skies. Don’t rely on last minute decisions to save your life and property. Don’t make life-altering decisions when panicked and unprepared.
Let's embrace the elements together, learn something new, and who knows-- you might find yourself taking an extra minute to appreciate and admire the beauty and raw power that is our Earth's atmosphere.
What exactly is weather literacy? What does it mean to be weather aware, why is it important, and how can it help shape our communities for the better? In today's blog, we explore the critical impact of weather literacy and how it empowers us to make better decisions about our personal safety.
What is Weather Literacy?
Have you ever seen a video of an individual or group of people outdoors, hair standing straight up from their head— charged with electricity, and they have seemingly no idea of the impending danger of a lightning strike? Have you ever known a friend or family member who was blissfully unaware of the difference between a tornado watch and warning? Perhaps you are one of those people yourself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being uninformed. After all, basic weather safety isn't taught in schools.
But critically, weather awareness isn't and shouldn't be just for enthusiasts and experts. To be weather literate doesn't mean to be an expert on atmospheric science and all its phenomena. Weather literacy and awareness are learned skills— it includes having basic knowledge on weather traits and characteristics that empowers us to make better, more informed decisions on our own safety. Life-altering weather happens constantly, whether or not we see or are part of it. While not every storm impacts us directly, it only takes one to alter our life path. It's up to us how equipped and prepared we are to take that storm on. If we want to address risk mitigation in the weather enterprise, address why dozens of lives are still lost every year to storms, then we must address the glaring lack of weather literacy.
So that brings us to the question, why is weather literacy and awareness so important? Surely the general public is somewhat weather aware, right? A 2020 research article in the AMS Journal by Christopher Nunley and Kathleen Sherman-Morris explores the relationship between risk communication and decision-making within the context of severe weather. Throughout the considerations of the research, comparisons are made between the general public's self-perceived weather knowledge, and their actual understanding of it. When applying the Dunning-Kruger Effect (DKE) to the context of weather literacy, we can begin to understand that the general public often conflates their own understanding of weather knowledge, even when they might not fully understand— an element that is readily explored in the 2020 publication.
According to the Nunley Sherman-Morris article, almost three-fourths (73%) of survivors of a natural disaster showed signs of Dunning-Kruger Effect indicators. Additional studies post- Hurricane Katrina showed how detrimental that can be:
'As the dangerous hurricane approached the coast of Louisiana, the hospital administrators at Pendleton Methodist Hospital decided to neither evacuate nor remove the backup power generator from the basement of the hospital which flooded frequently. the flooding caused power failure, leading to a patient dying. The court records showed the administration was skilled in the hospital operations but lacked the knowledge necessary to properly plan and safeguard for the patients during a natural disaster. This case shows a clear lack of skill awareness by hospital administrators in which the administrators were overly confident in their ability to prepare and respond to natural disasters-- an example of DKE'
Why might this be dangerous? Despite living in a world of readily-available information, myths and misunderstandings of meteorological data are still shockingly common. This is why we still see examples of individuals who believe tornadoes can't hit cities next to rivers, why we still have people who shelter under overpasses, and why we still see videos of people golfing outside during a storm with lightning present. Now we begin to see the detrimental side, the underbelly of DKE in a weather context. Through this lens, let's now explore what weather literacy looks like.
Weather awareness is multi-faceted looks different for everyone. It depends on our geographic location and meteorological threats associated with it, it depends on our personal experiences, and it depends on our desire to learn more about the meteorological phenomena that surround us every day. Weather literacy is more than just having phone alerts on and knowing a severe thunderstorm is approaching, it involves understanding the risk, and knowing how to prepare and effectively respond to the threat. It’s having an emergency kit, knowing where your shelter is, knowing evacuation routes, and being ready for the crisis
Now taking those considerations, here’s a few examples of what weather literacy might look like:
- Ability to interpret basic weather maps and features
- Ability to interpret basic radar features
- Basic knowledge of severe weather ingredients
- Basic understanding of weather watches and warnings
- Knowing where your county and city are on a map
- Basic knowledge of prevalent geographic and meteorological features that are commonly seen and experienced in your area
More Advanced Weather Literacy Might Include:
- Understanding the difference between discrete and linear severe weather events and their general behaviors
- More advanced understanding of weather patterns: basic cloud formations, movement of air masses, how to identify weather fronts, and behavior of storms
- Ability to recognize and identify patterns and behaviors in storms during severe weather
- Ability to interpret more complex radar features, weather models, etc.
So for those who might not be weather aware, or for those who have family or friends who might need assistance, what's the solution? Fortunately, weather information and educational resources are readily available. From National Weather Service seminars and online courses, to publicly available weather models, to educational YouTube videos, to free online guides on how to read a hodograph, to your local NWS office's Twitter account-- information is out there! You don't need to be an expert on cloud types or the inner workings of anticyclonic tornadoes, just being aware of your surroundings and preparing adequately makes the difference.
Developing weather literacy and awareness means more than keeping yourself dry during a rain shower, it’s a skill that empowers us to navigate the inevitably tumultuous skies. Don’t rely on last minute decisions to save your life and property. Don’t make life-altering decisions when panicked and unprepared.
Let's embrace the elements together, learn something new, and who knows-- you might find yourself taking an extra minute to appreciate and admire the beauty and raw power that is our Earth's atmosphere.
