The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) (2015) emphasised the need for a user-centric model of weather forecasts and weather warnings, including evaluating user needs and linking service development and delivery to these. Further, the WMO (2015) cautioned against assuming users will act upon weather advice once it is received and understood. If weather service users judge that the consequences of following weather warning guidelines will be worse for them, in a different way, they may engage in risky behaviour to avoid what they perceive to be a greater risk: “…given warning of a pending storm, one is far more likely to cancel or defer a non-essential weekend trip rather than a commute to work, especially if the avoided work trip leads to a lost day of wages”. Such non-weather factors are essential to understanding deviations from the behaviours expected (for example, staying off the roadways to reduce risk) for those issuing warnings and providing services.” (WMO, 2015, p. 22).
To assist with the delivery of Goals 1, 2 and 4 of Met Éireann’s Strategic Plan 2017–2027:
• Enhance support for impact-based decision making;
• Provide climate information services which promote the safety of citizens and support economic and environmental resilience for weather events;
• Continue to provide an effective authoritative voice on meteorology in Ireland
this Fógra report:
• Examines public and special interest groups’ interpretation of uncertainty in weather forecasting and climate projection information;
• Determines the current and future weather and climate service needs of the general public, including special interest groups;
• Presents evidence-based recommendations for the development of Met Éireann’s public weather and climate services, with particular emphasis on the effective communication of weather forecasts and climate protection warnings.
This report is built on the outputs from eight focus groups comprising members of the general public from two large cities, two rural regions, and an island community and special interest groups of students, marine leisure users, and members of the agriculture community
