National Weather Service



A summary of…It’s Story time!Weather Story Guidelines for the National Weather Service Western RegionBy Gina Esosco#1 DEFINE YOUR TERMS:Give an example of a frigid temperature. Define terms such as shadowing effect, favored areas, etc. #2 DEFINE YOUR SYMBOLS:Symbols are very useful images to describe the context of a forecast, but only if they are relevant and make sense. #3 ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE “WHERE AM I” LAYERS TAKE FIRST PRIORITY. Cities and roads should be top layers, wheras the map and polygon layers should be in the background. #4 BE CLEAR ON TIMING AND MOVEMENTIt is suggested that text compliments polygons, symbols, etc.#5 MAKE SURE TEXT IS CONCISEToo much text will lose your audience. #6 CERTAIN COLORS ARE DIFFICULT TO READConsider using a color wheel to find out which color is more readable with your background PLACEMENT OF TEXT MATTERSMajor headlines go at the top. Additional text should be placed in an area that makes sense to what you are trying to tell the viewer. Use arrows to show which area the text is relevant to.#8 CONTEXT OF TEXT IS IMPORTANTMake sure the heading of the story provides the context for the entire story. Your text and visual should match; they should make sense together. #9 GRAMMAR AND SPELLING MATTERAlways run spell check and briefly review your grammar. Errors in spelling and grammar can degrade the quality of a message.#10 USE FONTS THAT ARE EASY TO READArial, Courier, or Verdana are good choices.#11 NUMBERS SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR DESCRIPTIONUse a sidebar, text box, headline, or unit.#12 EMPHASIZE WHAT YOUR FORECAST IS RELATIVE TOWhen making an “er” comparison, be sure to make reference to its comparision.#13 BE CONSISTENTMake sure colors, symbols, and other design features are consistent throughout your weather story. #14 EMPOWER YOUR READER!Make general suggestions for how to respond or what to do with the weather information you are providing.#15 PROPER PLACEMENT OF SYMBOLS IS IMPORTANTAsk yourself “why am I placing this symbol here…does it provide value and meaning to my viewers”?#16 REDUCE UNNECCESSARY SYMBOLS OR TEXTLess is more; do not allow your message/forecast to be lost in too much clutter.#17 MAKE SURE YOUR BACKGROUND MAP IS RELEVANT TO THE WEATHER STORY AND UNDERSTANDABLE. Remember the “where am I” layer.#18 CHOICE IN COLORS SHOULD MAKE SENSEMake sure there is enough contrast such that text is readable. Check for color consistency. Important content should be in a color that people will notice. Make a legend. ................
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