Topic: Hmmm... timely notification?

[saratogaWX]

On 26-Jun-2019, the NWS sent the notice https://www.weather.gov/media/notification/pns19-20hazsimp_advisory.pdf

Public Information Statement 19-20 National Weather Service Headquarters Silver Spring MD
130 PM EDT Wed Jun 26 2019
To:       Subscribers:-NOAA Weather Wire Service-
Emergency Managers Weather Information Network -NOAAPORT
 Other NWS partners and NWS employees

From:     Eli Jacks Chief, Forecast Services Division

Subject:  Opportunity to participate in Partner webinars on July 24 and July 25, 2019, on possible changes to the NWS Watch, Warning and Advisory (WWA) system

As part of the Hazard Simplification (Haz Simp) project, NWS is  examining the technical and policy requirements to confirm feasibility of removing the term "Advisory" from the NWS Watch, Warning and Advisory System. This decision comes after years of social science research with NWS forecasters, public, and partners: https://www.weather.gov/hazardsimplification/references

A key finding during this process has been the high level of misunderstanding around the term Advisory. Research has found  that users frequently confuse Watch and Advisory, considering  them almost as synonyms.   In line with these results, this change would retain our current  Watch and Warning terms but remove Advisory as a headline term.  The end goal would be a simpler, two-term headline system in which a significant event is either Prepare (Watch) or Act (Warning) paradigm used by emergency managers.
To clarify, this would not result in elimination of Advisory-level information; rather, it is an opportunity to explore how we could communicate  this information in a different, more intuitive way. As a part  of this change, we will explore expanding the use of the headline "Emergency" beyond Tornado and Flash Flood for selected hazards.
It is important to note that NWS has not yet made a formal implementation decision. Prior to a formal implementation decision, NWS will continue engaging with partners and stakeholders to gather technical concerns and general feedback regarding this change.
 As an initial engagement, NWS partners  are welcome to attend one of two identical webinars to discuss  this proposed change and may register as shown below: July 24, 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4466654237367171074

July 25, 2019, 10:00am - 11:30am EDT at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/729074465463573250

For those unable to attend either of these webinars, we also welcome comments at hazsimp@noaa.gov

For further details on the Haz Simp project, you can visit:https://www.weather.gov/hazardsimplification/
National Public Information Statements are online at:  https://www.weather.gov/notification/

So close.. just missed both webinars due to notice being sent the day after they ended.   

[WeatherHost]

On 26-Jun-2019, the NWS sent the notice https://www.weather.gov/media/notification/pns19-20hazsimp_advisory.pdf

Public Information Statement 19-20 National Weather Service Headquarters Silver Spring MD
130 PM EDT Wed Jun 26 2019
To:       Subscribers:-NOAA Weather Wire Service-
Emergency Managers Weather Information Network -NOAAPORT
 Other NWS partners and NWS employees

From:     Eli Jacks Chief, Forecast Services Division

Subject:  Opportunity to participate in Partner webinars on July 24 and July 25, 2019, on possible changes to the NWS Watch, Warning and Advisory (WWA) system

As part of the Hazard Simplification (Haz Simp) project, NWS is  examining the technical and policy requirements to confirm feasibility of removing the term "Advisory" from the NWS Watch, Warning and Advisory System. This decision comes after years of social science research with NWS forecasters, public, and partners: https://www.weather.gov/hazardsimplification/references

A key finding during this process has been the high level of misunderstanding around the term Advisory. Research has found  that users frequently confuse Watch and Advisory, considering  them almost as synonyms.   In line with these results, this change would retain our current  Watch and Warning terms but remove Advisory as a headline term.  The end goal would be a simpler, two-term headline system in which a significant event is either Prepare (Watch) or Act (Warning) paradigm used by emergency managers.
To clarify, this would not result in elimination of Advisory-level information; rather, it is an opportunity to explore how we could communicate  this information in a different, more intuitive way. As a part  of this change, we will explore expanding the use of the headline "Emergency" beyond Tornado and Flash Flood for selected hazards.
It is important to note that NWS has not yet made a formal implementation decision. Prior to a formal implementation decision, NWS will continue engaging with partners and stakeholders to gather technical concerns and general feedback regarding this change.
 As an initial engagement, NWS partners  are welcome to attend one of two identical webinars to discuss  this proposed change and may register as shown below: July 24, 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4466654237367171074

July 25, 2019, 10:00am - 11:30am EDT at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/729074465463573250

For those unable to attend either of these webinars, we also welcome comments at hazsimp@noaa.gov

For further details on the Haz Simp project, you can visit:https://www.weather.gov/hazardsimplification/
National Public Information Statements are online at:  https://www.weather.gov/notification/

So close.. just missed both webinars due to notice being sent the day after they ended.   

Might want to get those reading spectacles checked for the latest calendar software update.

[saratogaWX]

   Ah.. Jun v.s. Jul .. yep.. time for getting the prescription glasses fixed.  So.. plenty of time to check in after all 

[K6GKM]

An update to this thread...

A post from the NWS crossed my Facebook feed today, confirming that they were pressing ahead with the headline changes.  I dug up the Public Information Statement.  Full text reads:

Public Information Statement 21-12
National Weather Service Headquarters Silver Spring MD
 1100 AM EST Thu Mar 4 2021
To: Subscribers:
-NOAA Weather Wire Service
-Emergency Managers Weather Information Network -NOAAPort
Other NWS Partners, Users and Employees

From: Eli Jacks, Chief, NWS Forecast Services Division

Subject: Planned Major Change to NWS' Hazard Messaging Headlines no earlier than calendar year 2024

The NWS will be implementing changes to its hazard messaging headlines no earlier than calendar year 2024. This decision is based on results of extensive social science research with partners and the public, which documented significant confusion with current NWS headline terms.

This research indicated that NWS' "Advisory" headlines are responsible for a major portion of the confusion. This is because the Advisory term itself is misunderstood and its meaning is often conflated with that of "Watch." Such confusion can lead to a misunderstanding of forecast severity and certainty with respect to significant weather and water hazards. This, in turn, can adversely impact user preparation for (and response to) these hazards.

The major changes are as follows:

- All "Advisory" headlines within what is currently the NWS Watch, Warning and Advisory system will be discontinued. Most of the current Advisory headlines will be replaced with plain language headlines that clearly articulate the nature of the hazard. However, these messages will still be equipped with computer-readable Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) as they are today.

- Exceptions to the transition to plain language will apply to Tsunami and Small Craft Advisories. These Advisories will be elevated to the Warning level due to the life-threatening
conditions associated with these hazards. The exact title of the Warning for what is now a Tsunami Advisory is to be determined.

- All "Special Weather Statements" (SPS') will be discontinued, also in favor of plain language headlines. In addition, these converted messages will, for the first time, be equipped with computer-readable VTEC and placed in a bulleted "What, Where, When, Impacts" format.

The exact language to be used in the plain language headlines for each affected hazard is still to be determined. NWS will host partner webinars and collect public feedback via on-line surveys during 2021 to inform development of plain language headlines. Additional Public Information Statements will be issued in the coming weeks to announce these feedback opportunities.

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

[CW2274]

Valid Time Event Code (VTEC)

Thanks. I wonder if they went through Honda on that...