As extreme weather events become more frequent, clear and effective communication of weather warnings is crucial for safeguarding lives and property. However, these warnings are only effective if they are understood and acted upon by the public, emphasising the need for a more structured approach. The German National Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst, DWD) is overhauling its weather warning system, leveraging psychological research to refine communication strategies and improve public responses to warnings. The first study in this series investigates three key aspects of weather warning structure: (1) public preferences for the order of sections (e.g., recommended actions, potential impacts, meteorological situation), (2) the naming conventions for these sections, and (3) the number of recommended actions at the highest warning level. This preregistered mixed-methods study, using a population-representative online survey (N = 800), assessed the preferences for section order and naming conventions through ranking tasks. Participants were randomly assigned to view either a longer version (nine recommended actions) or a shorter version (four recommended actions) of a weather warning. This allowed examination on how the number of recommended actions comprehension and influenced recall. After viewing the warning for at least 10 seconds, participants were asked to qualitatively recall its content. Their responses were coded to evaluate recall accuracy and the specific elements remembered, with comparisons made between the experimental conditions. Demographic information and attention and responses to various other warning elements were also recorded. The findings offer key insights into improving the structure and content of weather warnings, informing the DWD's updated communication strategy. By identifying the most understandable and memorable ways to communicate warnings, this research aims to improve warning clarity and public safety during extreme weather events. It demonstrates the practical value of psychological research in improving communication strategies with far-reaching public safety implications.