The Overwhelming Demands and Shared Responsibilities of Communicating Compound Hazards to Hispanic and Latino Populations in the United States

Année de publication

2026

This research examines the different roles and overwhelming responsibility of bilingual (English-Spanish) and Spanish-speaking broadcast meteorologists (BMets) who serve the Hispanic and Latino population in the United States. Through in-depth virtual interviews, it analyzes their practices, strategies, and challenges in communicating compound hazards during landfalling tropical cyclones and postlandfalling tropical cyclones. By using the case of Hurricane Ida (2021) amid COVID-19, the study reveals how effectively communicating risk to vulnerable populations expands established approaches to hazardous weather messaging during overlapping extreme weather and health crises. Three main domains shaping BMets' communication style are presented and discussed: first, the awareness of the socioeconomic vulnerabilities faced by Hispanic and Latino audiences; second, the incorporation of linguistic and cultural aspects into their message to convey weather forecasts and meteorological knowledge; and third, the tasks beyond their work at television (TV) stations, such as outreach events, social media posting, and live forecasts, to build trust and presence in their Designated Market Areas. We conclude by advocating for greater recognition and support from the Weather Enterprise, including TV stations and University departments of Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, to continuously develop training content and materials that enhance intercultural and multilingual weather communication, thereby strengthening BMets' vital role in public safety. Significance Statement This study aims to present the crucial and often overwhelming responsibilities of bilingual and Spanish-speaking broadcast meteorologists (BMets) in communicating complex weather hazards to Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. It demonstrates how current weather communication during hurricanes often fails to adequately address the overlapping socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural vulnerabilities faced by these populations. By describing strategies and challenges BMets encounter, we underscore the urgent need for the weather community to develop and support robust intercultural communication frameworks and comprehensive training. This will ensure more accessible and effective risk messaging, ultimately enhancing public safety for linguistic minorities.</div>

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