In this busy world, it just isn’t realistic to hope that every broadcast meteorologist could become fluent in ASL. Instead, I, alongside a chapter of the association of the deaf, a licensed interpreter, and broadcast meteorologists 25 key phrases were identified as the most important for meteorologists to use during dangerous weather of all types ranging from tornados to hurricanes. The use of these simple phrases will help to keep communities of d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals informed when dangerous weather is near.
Top 25 Phrases to Know
Severe Storm
Add the “severe” portion to the general storm sign by placing your pointer finger on your chin and twisting it slightly before creating the double-hand rotation.
When using this be sure to clearly show on your graphics where the storm is located.
Tornado
Start with both middle fingers together in the middle of your chest with one on top of the other. Mimicking the spin with your fingers and hands, separate your fingers with one going up and one going down.
An alternate version of this sign rotates the entire sign in a horizontal circle while keeping the above movement.
Tornado Warning
Use the same gesture for ‘tornado’ then use one hand to pat the back of your other hand at the same level of your chest. This adds the ‘warning’ portion of the sign.
You can use the warning sign in addition to any other hazard-specific sign to show that an official warning has been issued.
Lightning
Using one hand point (with pointer finger) diagonally up and keep that hand in place.
With your other hand, extend your pointer finger and meet it with your other hand. From there zig-zag down forming the lightning bolt.
Flood
With one hand form the sign for water. This is your middle three fingers extended and separate (think making a W) touch this gesture to your chin.
Then with both hands start low and together raise them to face level with palms facing down. Like you are showing water rising.
Hail
Alternating hands point your pointer finger down with the rest of your fingers in a fist. Do this movement several times with each hand to show the “hail” coming down.
Strong Winds
With both hands in fists held at shoulder level tighten and move out slightly. Kind of like grabbing the straps of a backpack.
Then open both hands and with palms facing each other offset them. In unison wave them slightly in a similar way to a flag waving.
Damaging Strong Winds
With both hands together at chest level have them slip away from each other while closing each hand into a fist. This should look like two things breaking away from each other.
Then do the sign for strong winds, as explained above.
Snow Storm or Blizzard
With both hands open and palms out lower them slowly while wiggling your fingers.
Then show winds the same way as depicted above.
White Out/ You Will Not Be Able To See
To sign “white out” take one hand and make a pinching motion above your chest. Then with both palms facing your face bring them together to create a block in front of your face.
With both hands spread and facing each other move them in circles, alternating directions. Extend both pointer fingers and hit one on top of the other. Then with one hand point to your eyes and move it away from your face by a few inches keeping the palm facing your face.
Hurricane Warning
With your thumb and first two fingers extended touch your thumbs together with your upper hand palm out and lower hand palm in. While moving your hands a few inches farther from your chest bend your two extended fingers slightly.
Ass the warning sign afterward as explained in previous examples.
Earthquake
With one hand in a soft fist palm down grip the sides of your hand with your middle finger and thumb. This makes the “earth” portion.
With both hands in fists in front of your chest a few inches apart shake them slightly to form the “quake”.
Emergency
Tuck thumbs in and curl fingers on both hands (don’t cover your palms with your fingers). With both hands up at about chin level move them side to side slightly.
Shelter Now
Form a fist with one hand, thumb facing up. With the other hand cover the fist. This is the “shelter”.
Separate both hands with both palms facing in, and extend your thumb and pinky. This is the ‘now’ symbol and you can kind of think about it as a two-hand shaka.
Avoid Windows
With both pointer fingers pointing up keep one in place and move the back the other hand. This is the “avoid”
For windows open and close a block in front of your face with both hands flat out and palms facing you.
You Are Safest in the Bathroom or the Basement
Start with crossed fists at chest level, and move them quickly to near your shoulders, this is for “safe”.
Show “in” by putting your fingers on one hand in the hole created by a loose fist on the other hand.
Bathroom, upright fist with your thumb between your pointer and middle finger.
Finger spell “or”, have one open hand palm down at chest level and a fist with your thumb up moving in a small circle below the first hand.
The Weather is Bad Now
With both hands at chest level pull pinkies and thumbs together with the middle three fingers up and separated. Rotate them a few times for “weather”.
Take one hand and put your fingers to your mouth then down to palm down near chest level.
Show now (as described above) with a double hand pinkies and thumbs out with palms facing your chest.
It is Not Safe To Drive Now
With your hand in a fist and thumb out put it under your chin and move it out a couple of inches out.
Sign safe with crossed fists at chest level, and move them quickly to near your shoulders.
With both fists closed and at near shoulder level with palms facing you. move them side to side slightly.
Sign now (as described above) with a double hand pinkies and thumbs out with palms facing your chest.
Stay Home
With both hands in the pikies out thumbs out position but facing out take one and gesture it forward.
In a full hand pinch (just one side) touch the side of your chin then your cheekbone.
ShowingTime
For each of the signs that show how much time has passed, I am using the general sign for storm. This is both hands out facing eachother a chest height and a bit of a rotation mimicked by each hand. Then to show that it will last close both hands into fists with the thumbs out. With palms facing out and thumbs touching move from just in front of your chin to out a few inches in an arc motion. At this point, you can add in any measure of time that fits the hazard you are covering.
The Storm Will Last 15 Minutes
With one hand up and palm facing in move your fingers forward and back a couple of times.
Signal minutes by placing a hand upright and palm to the side and one hand with just the pointer finger extended. Move the tip of your finger slightly forward while keeping your fist in place. Think of the minute hand on a clock moving about 10 minutes.
The Storm Will Last 30 Minutes
On one hand show three (thumb, pointer, and middle finger extended and separated) then show the 0 by pulling those three fingers together without bending them.
Once you have done that show the minutes signal again (same as above).
The Storm Will Last 1 Hour
With one hand at eye level facing to the side, rotate the other hand in a full circle with your pointer finger extended.
Think a full rotation of the hands on a clock.
End of Coverage
Like with any storm coverage making it clear when the threat is over is vital. As severe weather clears a region or conditions subside you can use one of these to express that change.
The Storm Has Passed
Show “storm” with the hands separated by a few inches, palms facing each other adding slight rotation.
Show that it has passed by taking both hands up with palms facing you and flip them so palms are out in kind of a shirk-off gesture.
It is Safe Now
With both hands in fists cross your arms at the wrists and in one motion uncross them and rotate them so palms are facing out. This shows the safe.
Sign now with the two-handed “shaka” facing inward. This is done with both hands raised to chest level with pinky and thumbs extended and all other fingers curled in.
This initial set of 25 words and phrases is a good way to kick off coverage in ASL and start helping that portion of your viewership. I will add more words and phrases to this website as they are requested. If you have a sign that you want to be added, please fill out the space below or email me!
Thank you for your response. ✨
Broadcast Meteorologist EDI Toolkit 