What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to assess how well the public understands extreme heat terminology from the National Weather Service.

March 18, 2026Open Access

Improving public understanding of heat terminology : Findings and recommendations for the National Weather Service

Key Points

The aim is to assess how well the public understands extreme heat terminology from the National Weather Service.
Evaluated public interpretations of NWS heat-related terms across the continental United States.
Analyzed existing Heat Advisories, Extreme Heat Warnings, and Heat Index products.
Identified gaps and opportunities for clearer communication strategies.
Found significant misunderstanding of heat terminology among the public.
Identified key areas for clarity improvement in heat-related warnings and advisories.
Recommended actionable changes to enhance public response to extreme heat alerts.

Abstract

Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. The National Weather Service (NWS) plays a central role in translating meteorological conditions into public-facing products such as Heat Advisories, Extreme Heat Warnings, Heat Index values, and the HeatRisk tool. However, the effectiveness of these products depends not only on scientific accuracy, but on how the public interprets and acts on the language used. This project examined how people across the continental United States (CONUS) understand NWS extreme heat terminology and where opportunities exist to strengthen clarity, consistency, and actionability in heat communication.

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Cite This Study

Micki Olson (Mon,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ba420a4e9516ffd37a1f0e https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.25923/nkn2-vt59

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