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Axe has a history of uploading screenshots of weather reports with comprehensive details about the context, date and source. The image can be traced back to at least August 2003 to a Flickr album named “screenshots” by photographer Stuart Axe ( here, here). Temperatures appear to range mostly between the mid- to late 20s and early 30s Celsius ( here). The first forecast (left image) shows a green map of the British Isles, with wind patterns and sunshine icons. The comments came in response to widespread social media shares of a meme comparing two heatwave forecasts on two different years in the UK, suggesting it was proof of the national media stoking baseless fears of climate change.

Jackson Cote adapted it for the web.British weather maps over the years have been adapted to be more accessible for viewers, particularly those who live with colour blindness, according to the UK’s national weather service, and broadcaster, who both spoke to Reuters. "At least this conversation can spark some interest perhaps in those that are teaching our children, where they really do need some map skills coming out of school."Ĭiku Theuri produced this interview and edited it for broadcast with Todd Mundt. “I have had countless photographs of second-grade classes and third-grade classes where the kids are showing, 'This is where I live.

So, it is especially encouraging to him when he sees educators teaching children about basic geography. “If you can’t identify where you live on a map, you're just in big trouble.”Ī large part of the problem is smartphones, which have GPS systems that give turn-by-turn directions. “First thing you're going to see when there's a major earthquake are the maps coming from NOAA indicating the tsunami waves and the approximate arrival times,” says Spann. A significant number of Americans live in tornado-prone areas, and others may be dealing with different environmental threats, like flooding, earthquakes or tsunamis. But after getting the help of a group of social scientists, he found that most people just can't find their house on a map. Spann thought there was something technically wrong with the maps he was posting. “In my opinion, a third-grader or a second-grader should be able to easily pick out where they are and understand what we're trying to communicate.”

“ ‘What about Clanton? What about Rockford? What about Hamilton? What about Winfield?’ And I'm thinking, 'What is this?’ ” says Spann. "If you can’t identify where you live on a map, you're just in big trouble." James Spann Their messages would start with the phrase, “What about,” followed by the name of their town. After posting weather maps to social media, he would see 20 to 30 comments from users expressing similar confusion. Spann started to notice a few years ago that many people didn't understand their local maps. “In most every situation, at least 60, 70 percent could not do it.” “I would give them a blank map with county lines and state lines, and I would say put a dot within 50 miles of your house,” Spann ( tells Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson. Spann, chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40, asked on air, "If I were to give you a blank map with no labels, no highways, just county lines and state lines, could you draw a dot within 50 miles of your house?"Īs an experiment, Spann visits rotary clubs and other venues near him to ask adults this same question. Maps are crucial to understanding severe weather threats to various areas - but what good are they if viewers can't read them?Īccording to one frustrated Birmingham weatherman, James Spann, the U.S. When these kinds of weather events happen, there is usually fair warning by local meteorologists, who stand in front of a regional map and explain what to expect and where. Severe weather brought strong winds and the risk of harsh storms to Alabama Thursday night.