National Weather Service Rio Grande Hydrologic Services Expansion Meeting NWS Weather Forecast Office Midland, Texas NWS Weather Forecast Office Midland, Texas

Organizational Structure Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

Regional Offices

122 NWS Offices

Texas NWS Offices

NWS Forecast Office Midland, Texas WFO MAF

Area of Responsibility 26 Counties within County Warning Area (CWA)

Responsibilities WFO Midland PublicAviationFire WeatherHydrology ForecastsWatches/Warnings

DPS PD SO FD EMS Spotters Ham Operators COOP Observers TV Radio NWS Emergency Management NWS Volunteers Media Partnerships – Team Effort

Hydrology Maintain local information –Data Acquisition –Quality Control Data Annual site visits Flood Watches & Warnings –Flash Flooding –River Flooding of Forecast Points Maintain local information –Data Acquisition –Quality Control Data Annual site visits Flood Watches & Warnings –Flash Flooding –River Flooding of Forecast Points

Hydrology Definitions -just a few (Flash) Flood Watch –(Flash) Flooding is a possibility (Flash) Flood Warning –(Flash) Flooding is occurring or imminent (Flash) Flood Statements –Used to update or expand information (Flash) Flood Watch –(Flash) Flooding is a possibility (Flash) Flood Warning –(Flash) Flooding is occurring or imminent (Flash) Flood Statements –Used to update or expand information

River Forecast Points A River Forecast Point refers to a gaged location on a river for which the NWS issues forecasts. These forecasts are used in watch and warning products which are disseminated to the public. A River Forecast Point refers to a gaged location on a river for which the NWS issues forecasts. These forecasts are used in watch and warning products which are disseminated to the public.

River Forecast Points A flood stage has been coordinated with local authorities for each forecast point. –stage at which, if exceeded, would cause flood damage in some portion(s) of the reach of that point –If flood stage is forecast or exceeded, a Flood Warning (FLW) is issued The NWS - West Gulf River Forecast Center provides forecast guidance to MAF for forecast points. A flood stage has been coordinated with local authorities for each forecast point. –stage at which, if exceeded, would cause flood damage in some portion(s) of the reach of that point –If flood stage is forecast or exceeded, a Flood Warning (FLW) is issued The NWS - West Gulf River Forecast Center provides forecast guidance to MAF for forecast points.

River Forecast Points Staff gage Streamflow gages owned and maintained by IBWC / USGS Site with Telemetry

NWS Warning Reception NOAA Weather Radio EMWIN, InterWARN, other related software TLETS Amateur Radio transceiver NOAA Weather Radio EMWIN, InterWARN, other related software TLETS Amateur Radio transceiver Pagers/Cell phones/PDA’s Local Radio (EAS- LP1/LP2) or Local TV NAWAS Web: Other

MAF Contact Database

Monitoring Hydrometeorological Conditions Observations –Actual measurements from rain gages Estimations –Radar –Satellite Observations –Actual measurements from rain gages Estimations –Radar –Satellite

Challenges with Forecasting Lack of Radar data –Must use satellite data Lack of gaging Lack of people! –More difficult to find observers Lack of Radar data –Must use satellite data Lack of gaging Lack of people! –More difficult to find observers

Questions???