What are impact-based forecasts and warnings?

Impact-based forecasts & warnings describe what the weather has the potential to DO (eg. cause power outages, or flood roads) rather than what the weather will BE (eg. wind speed, or rainfall intensity). They make warnings more meaningful and enable people to plan and prepare.

Researchers from our Weather & Wildfire team are working with MetService New Zealand and other agencies to identify and overcome the challenges involved in developing these warnings, so in the future we can receive more useful and tailored weather information. Dr Sally Potter, Senior Social Scientist at GNS Science explains.

Thanks also to the World Meteorological Organization for their support.