Analysis of Expert Judgment in a Hail Forecasting Experiment

Thomas R. Stewart Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Thomas R. Stewart in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
William R. Moninger Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by William R. Moninger in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Ray H. Brady Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Ray H. Brady in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Frank H. Merrem Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Frank H. Merrem in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Thomas R. Stewart Center for Research on Judgment and Policy, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Thomas R. Stewart in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Janet Grassia Center for Research on Judgment and Policy, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Janet Grassia in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Abstract

This study compared meteorologists, an expert system, and simple weighted-sum models in a limited-information hail forecasting experiment. It was found that forecasts made by meteorologists were closely approximated by an additive model, and that the model captured most of their forecasting skill. Furthermore, the additive model approximated the meteorologists’ forecasts better than the expert system did. Results of this study am consistent with the results of extensive psychological research on judgment and decision making processes. Potential implications are discussed.

Abstract

This study compared meteorologists, an expert system, and simple weighted-sum models in a limited-information hail forecasting experiment. It was found that forecasts made by meteorologists were closely approximated by an additive model, and that the model captured most of their forecasting skill. Furthermore, the additive model approximated the meteorologists’ forecasts better than the expert system did. Results of this study am consistent with the results of extensive psychological research on judgment and decision making processes. Potential implications are discussed.

Save