Communicating When Hazards Arrive: Adding Arrival Time Information to Hurricane Hazard Maps

Hurricane Threats and Impacts (HTI) graphics communicate the spatial extent and severity of tropical cyclone hazards but provide limited information about when hazards will arrive, creating challenges for time-sensitive protective decision-making. We evaluated whether adding arrival time information to redesigned HTI-like graphics improves temporal comprehension, influences risk perception and protective actions, and is perceived as usable. In a mixed-design experiment, 248 Florida residents from coastal and inland communities were randomly assigned to view graphics with or without arrival time bands (between-subjects) for three hurricane scenarios (within-subjects). Time bands significantly improved comprehension, increasing correct responses nearly six-fold from 7.0% to 40.8%. Without time bands, participants predominantly interpreted advisory issuance times as hazard arrival times. Temporal information did not affect risk perception or protective actions, which were driven primarily by tropical cyclone characteristics. Both designs received comparable usability ratings. Findings show temporal visualizations can begin to address comprehension deficits without compromising usability.