1. Matt Taraldsen Matt Taraldsen Saint Cloud State University Meteorology-Communications Student MNgageMNgage The Post Storm Survey Amanda Graning Forecaster/Meteorologist National Weather Service, WFO Duluth, MN

2. This survey was created by Matt Taraldsen, a meteorology student at Saint Cloud State University, under the guidance of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences professor Dr. Anthony Hansen, Communication Studies professor Suzanne Stangl-Erkens and meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Duluth, Minnesota. Post Storm Survey (PSS) poststormsurvey@gmail.com http://studentweb.stcloudstate.edu/tama0502/poststormsurvey.htm

3. Post Storm Survey (PSS) “Need a process by which WFO [Weather Forecast Offices] can systematically gather local customer input and local research results … and turn that information into improved products and services” Ray Wolf – Science and Operations Officer (Science Operations Officer) NWS WFO Davenport, IA Goal Motivation Improve communication & effectiveness of winter weather information and threat by gaining insight into perceptions and decision making processes related to hazardous winter weather.

4. Post Storm Survey Details  Not a Critique of Forecast Accuracy  Utilized Range of Departments at SCSU Statistics, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Communication Studies, Technology Statistics, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Communication Studies, Technology  Created to follow Online Surveying Methods  Questions were formulated similar to previous surveys on parallel topics  Post Storm Survey project was approved by SCSU Review Board and NWS Central Region Headquarters in March 2008

5.  After a Winter Event Ends A link to the brief event specific survey is posted on the PSS homepage A link to the brief event specific survey is posted on the PSS homepage Survey is open to take for 3 days immediately following a winter storm that requires a warning to be issued by the local NWS office. Survey is open to take for 3 days immediately following a winter storm that requires a warning to be issued by the local NWS office. Additional links to the survey will be posted on the PSS homepage in the case of multiple or overlapping winter storms Additional links to the survey will be posted on the PSS homepage in the case of multiple or overlapping winter storms  Survey results will be posted online and available to anyone The Post Storm Survey

6.  Post Storm Survey Homepage is Hosted on SCSU Web Server  Test Season was Conducted Winter 2008  Survey will Continue to be operational through next two Winter Seasons: 2008-09 & 2009-10  Multiple Online Locations to Access Survey News Section of Several Participating NWS Homepages News Section of Several Participating NWS Homepages MN State Climatologist & MN Hidden Program MN State Climatologist & MN Hidden Program SCSU Meteorology Department Web Page SCSU Meteorology Department Web Page Multiple Media Partner Web Sites Multiple Media Partner Web Sites Many more coming soon ! Many more coming soon ! Post Storm Survey Details http://studentweb.stcloudstate.edu/tama0502/poststormsurvey.html

7. Test Season March-April 2008  Only included winter storms that Affected Duluth, MN Forecast Area  Proposed for Winter Events Requiring a “Warning.” Didn’t quite work that way…No Storms. Didn’t quite work that way…No Storms. Winter finally arrive March & April 2008 Winter finally arrive March & April 2008 Posted Survey for Three Winter Events Posted Survey for Three Winter Events One case (March 18 th ) did not have a Warning but was still used in Test season dataOne case (March 18 th ) did not have a Warning but was still used in Test season data Received over 500 responses Total Received over 500 responses Total

8. Post Storm Survey Please Refer to the PSS Results Slideshow for the Post Storm Survey Questions and Responses from the Test Season of 2008PSS Results Slideshow http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/dlh/slideshows/PSS_results.pdf

9. Test Season Conclusions  Significant number of respondents stated they altered their routine because concerned about road conditions/travel.  People did not react as much to meteorlogic terminology such as sleet and freezing rain; not a direct impact?  There was an increase in preparedness (gas, food water, communication) with highly anticipated blizzard versus low end snow event  Climatology plays major factor…What is viewed as “normal” in Minnesota?

10. How to get involved? If you are interested in hosting a link to the Post Storm Survey on your website, please send an email to poststormsurvey@gmail.com If you are interested in hosting a link to the Post Storm Survey on your website, please send an email to poststormsurvey@gmail.com

11. Thank You! Matt Taraldsen Matt Taraldsen Saint Cloud State University Meteorology-Communications Student poststormsurvey@gmail.com http://studentweb.stcloudstate.edu/tama0502/poststormsurvey.html Amanda Graning Forecaster/Meteorologist National Weather Service, WFO Duluth, MN amanda.graning@noaa.gov