PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The National Weather Service is continuing to look at consolidating and simplifying the way forecasters across the county alert the public to dangerous weather conditions.   Warning Coordination Meteorologist Kelly Serr at the National Weather Service office in Aberdeen says the NWS-Haz Simp Project has been in place since 2014.

Serr says the project involves scientists from all disciplines.

If the latest proposed changes move forward, it would remove the term “Advisory” but not Advisory-level information. The use of the word “Emergency” would be expanded beyond only Tornado and Flash Floods for certain hazards. Serr says any change is likely years down the road.

The National Weather Service says removing the term “Advisory” would be a “major” change and that a formal decision on implementation has not been made. They expect it to take several years before any change would be permanent.