Gaining user insights into the research-to-operational elements of Impact-based Forecasting (IbF) from within the SHEAR programme

Impact based Forecasting (IbF) is an expanding and evolving area of research within National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and the humanitarian sector, with a broad aim to enhance communication and timely action to reduce losses associated with natural hazards.

Given the growing scope of IbF and the potential challenges this may have for implementation, this research aims to answer the following questions:

1. Is there a shared understanding of what IbF is across individuals involved in its development?
2. Is there a shared perception of the challenges, barriers and opportunities associated with implementing IbF operationally?

To accomplish this aim, practitioners, forecasters and researchers, working within the NERC Science for Humanitarian Emergencies and Resilience (SHEAR) Programme, were invited to provide their perspectives on a range of IbF related topics through a set of semi-structured interviews.