Florida State University research examines hurricane map effectiveness

New research from Florida State University suggests that updated hurricane forecast graphics may not effectively communicate the full extent of storm risks to the public. The study, published in the journal Weather, Climate, and Society, evaluated an experimental version of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) cone introduced in 2024.

Unlike previous versions, the new maps include hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings for inland areas to show that danger extends beyond the coastline. While participants in Florida and Georgia who viewed the revised graphics were better at identifying inland areas under warning, the study found they did not feel significantly more threatened or more likely to take protective actions.

Additionally, researchers noted that many people still hold misconceptions, such as believing a wider forecast cone indicates a larger storm size.