Design guidelines for hurricane risk forecast to non-expert users

Abstract

Hurricane forecast graphics, such as the cone of uncertainty and the hurricane threat impacts graphics, are provided to assist the general public in assessing their risk and in making protective action decisions for an approaching storm. Many researchers have demonstrated that hurricane forecast graphics are often misinterpreted by the general public. Few studies, however, have investigated the impact of design elements of these graphics on interpretations of hurricane risk communication for non-expert users. This study provides design guidelines for improving hurricane risks forecast products based on a literature review.