The perceptions of storm spotters as part of a natural hazards Integrated Warning System

Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Individuals in the United States are subjected to a multitude of natural hazards, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, wildfires, and more. As such, it is crucial to implement a natural hazards Integrated Warning System (IWS) that assesses possible natural hazards, disseminates valuable meteorological information, and spurs protective actions to protect both life and property from an impending disaster. One method that has contributed to the overall understanding of natural hazards, and therefore the advancement of a natural hazard IWS, is field observation or, more specifically, storm spotting. The utilization of storm spotters can be traced back to the early 1940s, yet there is limited research about how they are perceived during hazardous weather. This research examines storm spotters as core actors within an IWS both from the perspective of storm spotters themselves, as well as from the three primary actors: National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists, emergency managers, and broadcast meteorologists. ☐ There were three research questions that motivated this study: What are the overall characteristics of storm spotters?, (2) What are the perceptions of the terms ‘storm spotter’, ‘storm chaser’, and ‘weather enthusiast’?, and (3) What are the perceived roles of storm spotters before, during, and after a hazardous weather event and/or warning situation? To answer these questions, a mixed-methods approach was utilized. ☐ Phase one of this design aimed to answer the first research question and included the dissemination of an online web survey nationally to both NWS SKYWARN spotters and members of Spotter Network. In total, 749 survey responses were analyzed. It was found that the “typical” storm spotter within this sample is a middle-aged, White/Caucasian male who is employed full-time and resides in an urban area. He is most likely college-educated, but has no formal training in meteorology or atmospheric science. This storm spotter is also a member of the NWS SKYWARN program who obtained spotter training in-person via this same program within the past five years and renews spotter training fairly regularly. Overall, the storm spotter is likely to interact at least once with one of the three primary actors. This interaction is most likely with NWS meteorologists, followed by emergency managers and broadcasters. ☐ Phase two focused on the final two research questions and involved qualitative research methods, more specifically, individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups. In the end, 14 individual semi-structured interviews with storm spotters, as well as three focus groups comprised of NWS meteorologists, emergency managers, and broadcast meteorologists were also completed. In regards to the second research question, a ‘storm spotter’ was perceived to observe and report valid weather or situational information, obtain specific NWS SKYWARN spotter training, and does not alter his or her daily life or schedule to enter the role of a storm spotter. A ‘storm chaser’ was perceived to mobilize in an effort to witness severe weather, schedule time to chase, take pictures or videos of the hazards, and is often associated with negative connotations. A ‘weather enthusiast’ was perceived to be attentive and curious about the weather, possess varying levels of meteorological knowledge, and have no formal storm spotter training. ☐ This research found that storm spotters play important roles in the gathering, evaluating, and communicating of weather or situational information during the assessment component of an IWS. Their roles were much more limited for all other assessment activities. They were also involved in the dissemination of warning information, though this responsibility was more controversial among interviewees. Storm spotters were found to be part of the public response component of an IWS, but with varying degrees of involvement. This research found they play a role in events immediately following a hazardous weather event and have expectations of their roles in the future. Often times, these perceptions were different among the three primary actors, with the broadcasters’ perceptions being most similar to those of the storm spotters during the assessment component, the NWS meteorologists’ perceptions being most similar during the dissemination component, and the emergency managers’ perceptions being most similar during the public response component. The emergency managers were also most similar in their perception of storm spotters’ roles post-hazardous weather, whereas the NWS meteorologists were most similar in their perception of storm spotters’ roles in the future. Ultimately, this research laid the foundation for additional study into storm spotters as core actors within the IWS.
Description
Keywords
Integrated warning system, Storm spotters, Natural hazards, United States, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Blizzards, Floods, Wildfires, Emergency management, Broadcast meteorologists
Citation