The project addresses the challenges of visualizing uncertainty in weather forecasts, with the aim of creating a more efficient, simplified, and user-friendly way to present complex information. It seeks to positively impact user experience and understanding of uncertainty information in this and similar fields.

WHAT
The master’s project primarily focuses on visualizing uncertainty in weather forecasts. The initial phase of the project started with an exploration of the opportunities and challenges within the field of data visualization. Several challenges emerged, leading to a focus on uncertainty and a collaboration with the weather forecasting service, YR. The last research question evolved to:

"How can uncertainty in temperature, wind, and precipitation predictions within weather forecasts be visualized to enhance user experience and comprehension?"

HOW
The project employs several methods such as:
● Involvement of expert professionals, such as individuals from the fields of data
visualization, visual design, and meteorology.
● Interviews, observations, and testing with people affected by weather either privately or through their profession.
● Use of visual and digital design, utilizing tools like sketching and digital services such as Figma and Adobe Illustrator.

Design methodology has been crucial to manage the complexity of the research task. Examples include weather data, users’ data literacy, their information interpretation, and their mental models.

WHY
The inspiration behind the project came from the multidisciplinary nature of data visualization, and a desire to explore how design combined with data can lead to effective communication with the audience. Data uncertainty engaged the project to move forward due to its challenging nature. This project hopes to deliver valuable insights on visualization of uncertainty and the user experience related to it, and how to turn data into useful information. The knowledge acquired has the potential to be applied to other projects that involve uncertainty, communication, visualization, diverse users with various needs, and more.