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The recent growth in the private sector of meteorology in this country has caused a substantial expansion in the number of contacts between NWS staff members and non-government meteorologists. Where these private sector representatives are serving the media, particularly as radio and TV weathercasters, and issuing their own forecasts to the public, there is the potential for differences of opinion and conflicting information being passed to the public. Even when the private meteorologist's client is not connected with the media, there is a possibility that contradictory forecasts may reach the public indirectly. In non-hazardous weather situations, this is not particularly serious and is probably best ignored. In severe weather and flood situations where there is a serious threat to life or property, the public needs as clear and certain a warning as is possible.

Sociological studies clearly indicate that conflicting information in a crisis situation leads to public confusion and lack of response to warnings. It is therefore NWS policy that once the NWS has issued a watch or a warning for a hurricane, tornado, flash flood, or other life-threatening event, no conflicting information should be issued to the general public. This in no way prohibits a private meteorologist from providing life-saving information to the public when there is positive evidence that a clear and present threat exists. Indeed, professional ethics dictate that he or she should inform the threatened population via whatever dissemination system is available and notify the NWS as soon as possible for additional distribution of the information.

It must be recognized that NWS policy has no force of law for non-government meteorologists. Compliance with NWS policy that official watches and warnings must control in life-threatening situations can be achieved only through the good will and sense of public responsibility of the weathercasters. Many private sector meteorologists already agree with and abide by this position, but there will be those who disagree.

NWS Headquarters personnel are taking steps to gain wider acceptance of this convention; meanwhile, field personnel should draw it to the attention of local private meteorologists and enlist their cooperation.

Personal meetings with local private sector representatives, particularly media weathercasters, are useful in developing rapport. Regional offices can hold technical exchanges with private sector meteorologists in the region; local NWS offices can invite local weathercasters into their offices for discussion of cooperative warning strategies. Visits of NWS personnel to private sector meteorological offices can help to improve mutual understanding of relative roles.

In the event of a situation in which information contradictory to the NWS watch or warning is issued, and the MIC/OIC feels public safety has been jeopardized, remedial action is justified.

If the NWS office becomes aware of the problem while the watch or warning is still in effect, it should contact the private meteorologist for clarification. If the conflict cannot be resolved, a follow-up visit should be made. This letter should be cited, along with an explanation of the NWS position and an appeal for compliance in the public interest. If repeat occurrences take place, the problem should be brought to the attention of the area manager who will decide if a visit to the private meteorologist's management or client is warranted.

If the meteorologist or firm providing the conflicting information is located outside of the NWS office's service area and immediate action is required, the MIC/OIC should contact the radio or TV station and advise them that the information they are disseminating is in conflict with NWS releases. No additional comments about the validity of the information should be made to the station at this time. The area manager and regional office should be advised of the situation and the contact. After consultation with NWS Headquarters (Wx5), the regional office will coordinate a course of action with the area manager and the MIC/OIC. Public controversy should be avoided, if at all possible.

If the problem is identified after the severe weather event has ended and immediate action is not required, the MIC/OIC should contact the private meteorologist as soon as possible if the meteorologist is located in the local area. Otherwise, the problem should be brought to the attention of the area manager and the regional office.

All NWS personnel must remember that public safety in severe weather and flood situations requires the best efforts from everyone, even though the official warning responsibility rests squarely on NWS. In spite of this, NWS must still depend, to a large degree, upon the private sector for dissemination of its forecasts and warnings. The Nation's needs for weather information are best served through a cooperative approach between government and the private sector. Such cooperation is already clearly evident in many areas, and through cultivation can become more widespread and can increase the effectiveness of NWS warnings.