Surveys to Collect Data on Use of the NOAA National Weather Service Cone of Uncertainty

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
NWS Hurricane Forecast Survey Form and Instruction	New
0648-COU 30-day 85 FR 19143 2020-0406.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-04-07
Final Lit Review Summary Report_4-10-19.docx Supplementary Document	2020-03-16
COU Literature Review_20190301.xlsx Supplementary Document	2020-03-16
0648-COU 60-day 84 FR 22115 2019-0516.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-03-16
0648-COU Supporting Statement Part B.docx Supporting Statement B	2020-03-16
0648-COU Supporting Statement Part A.docx Supporting Statement A	2020-03-16

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
240756	NWS Hurricane Forecast Survey Form and Instruction	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0791	ICR Reference No: 202003-0648-006
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No: 0648-COU
Title: Surveys to Collect Data on Use of the NOAA National Weather Service Cone of Uncertainty
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 05/07/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/07/2020
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2023	36 Months From Approved
Responses	1,406	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	469	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: This request is for a new information collection. The NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) National Hurricane Center (NHC) produces tropical cyclone text and graphical products to provide critical information about meteorological parameters of tropical storms and hurricanes that could threaten the United States and other countries. While NOAA has a good understanding of how many of its core partners (i.e., emergency management personnel and broadcast meteorologists/members of the media) use these graphics, it is interested in how other professionals within key sectors (i.e., transportation, marine, tourism, energy) and international users perceive these products and use them in decision-making. In particular, NOAA is interested in input on the NHC Track Forecast Cone (often referred to as the cone of uncertainty). In addition to appearing on NHC’s web site, the cone is widely disseminated on social media, online (e.g., local and national news web sites), and on television—with broadcast meteorologists and private weather industry often making their own version of the graphic. This request is for a set of related data collection activities, including interviews, focus groups, and a survey to collect information from audiences that use NHC products, particularly the Track Forecast Cone.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 22115	05/16/2019
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 19143	04/06/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
NWS Hurricane Forecast Survey	N/A	NWS Hurricane Forecast Survey

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	1,406	0	0	1,406	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	469	0	0	469	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new program.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $169,013

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 04/07/2020

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