Piloting bilingual scientific weather resources in English and Spanish

A pilot project by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) aims to help create a shared knowledge base for weather information in both Spanish and English by providing rigorously translated Spanish-language definitions in the AMS Glossary of Meteorology. 50 terms have already been translated, showcasing the effectiveness of AI combined with scientific expertise. Building on the successful pilot, the AMS hopes to obtain funding to translate much more of this vital resource.

The technical definitions of meteorological terms are the backbone of how we understand and communicate about weather and climate hazards. When your TV meteorologist says, “we have a tornado warning,” or “a snow squall is approaching,” they know exactly what they mean. In the United States, the AMS Glossary is the English-language standard for this precise knowledge. Communities speaking other languages deserve the same.

Spanish is the second most common language in the United States, with nearly 42 million people speaking Spanish at home according to the U.S. Census. Multiple studies suggest that Spanish speakers face disparities in receiving, comprehending, and making use of severe weather information. Some of those disparities are likely due to translation issues.

Lack of bilingual Spanish weather resources is dangerous.

“Presently in the United States, 1 in 10 individuals speak Spanish. The fact that there’s no established glossary or reference material limits us in communicating important science to our audiences,” says Joseph Trujillo-Falcón, a researcher at the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO). “The lack of translations have caused practitioners to communicate risk inconsistently, causing a lot of confusion among the public.”

Trujillo-Falcón is Chair of the AMS Committee for Hispanic and Latinx Advancement, which is co-leading the glossary translation project. His research at CIWRO has found that even basic translation issues can cause potentially life-threatening confusion. For example, the National Weather Service uses the term “aviso de tornado,” to convey the English term “tornado warning” (the highest tornado alert level). Yet “aviso” was rated by Spanish speakers as feeling less urgent than alternative words like “alerta.” Trujillo-Falcón also recalls instances of private-sector companies translating a severe weather “watch” into Spanish using the term for a clock or wristwatch (“reloj”); a technical reference could help prevent such errors.

In other cases, notes Trujillo-Falcón, “the same English term might be translated into Spanish in six different ways, based on the target audience’s dialect or region of origin.” Newly established English terms, such as “snow squall,” often have no direct Spanish translation at all.

In the United States, where weather information often originates in English and is then translated into Spanish, having equivalent translations is crucial. Multiple weather glossaries simply translate terms, but do not translate the full scientific definition, leaving room for confusion and inaccuracy. The work of translation is most often left up to bilingual weather broadcasters, who have normally received all their training in English, and who must often make snap judgments about how to communicate something to a Spanish-speaking audience.

Climate change is another thorny issue. Spanish usage does not distinguish as strongly between “weather” and “climate,” and often the term “clima” is used for both. In addition, the lack of a foundational Spanish-language resource for AI-based fact checkers means they may miss obvious climate misinformation and disinformation when it’s conveyed in Spanish.

“It’s much easier to sow misinformation when we haven’t established even the most fundamental [Spanish-language] definitions of our field.”

–Joseph Trujillo-Falcón

A partnership between AI and bilingual scientists.

The online AMS Glossary of Meteorology is the most comprehensive U.S.-focused glossary of atmospheric science. Its peer-reviewed entries provide a full technical definition of over 12,000 terms, used by more than half a million people each year. There is no equally comprehensive and up-to-date resource in Spanish—the last formal Spanish meteorological glossary was published in 1953 in Uruguay—but with this pilot project there is hope for changing that.

In partnership with Lilt, a machine-learning translation company, AMS has worked with its community of Spanish-speaking experts to translate the glossary’s 50 most viewed English-language terms to Spanish, while maintaining a high standard of scientific review and accuracy. Translated terms include “río atmosférico (atmospheric river),” “Pirocumulonimbo (pyrocumulonimbus),” and “megadestello (megaflash).” You can read the 50 pilot translation terms here.

If expanded, the project would both contribute to and benefit from efforts by federal agencies to improve multilingual weather communication—for example, NOAA’s ongoing work using AI to translate its weather forecasts.

“We acknowledge the immense potential and impact of the Spanish-translated glossary, and we are dedicated to completing this project,” says Stella Kafka, Executive Director of the AMS. “By employing AI technology, we can expedite translations beyond traditional methods. Additionally, the collaboration between our technology and our team of scientific reviewers guarantees accuracy. We are thrilled that the AMS will be able to provide and maintain a vital bilingual resource that was not previously possible.”

Learn more about the AMS pilot translation project.

About the American Meteorological Society

The American Meteorological Society advances the atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications, and services for the benefit of society. Founded in 1919, AMS has a membership of around 12,000 professionals, students, and weather enthusiasts. AMS publishes 12 atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic science journals; sponsors more than 12 conferences annually; and offers numerous programs and services. Visit us at https://www.ametsoc.org/.