Measuring the Effectiveness of the Graphical Communication of Hurricane Storm Surge Threat

Abstract

Abstract Color is an important variable in the graphical communication of weather information. The effect of different colors on understanding and perception is not always considered prior to releasing an image to the public. This study tests the influence of color as well as legend values on the effectiveness of communicating storm surge potential. In this study, 40 individuals participated in an eye-tracking experiment in which they responded to eight questions about five different storm scenarios. Color was varied among three palettes (shades of blue, green to red, and yellow to purple), and legends were varied to display categorical values in feet (<3, 3–6, etc.) or text descriptions (low, medium, etc.). Questions measured accuracy, perceived risk, and perceived helpfulness. Overall, accuracy was high and few statistically significant differences were observed across color/legend combinations. Evidence did suggest that the blue values condition may have been the most difficult to interpret. Statistical support for this claim includes longer response times and a greater number of eye fixations on the legend. The feet values condition also led to a greater number of eye fixations on the legend and letter markers than the category text condition. The green–red condition was the strong preference among all groups as the color condition that best informs the public about storm surge risk. This color palette led to slightly higher levels of accuracy and perceived helpfulness, but the differences were not significant.