Session for Broadcasters on National Weather Service (NWS) Water Resources Services

In this session, the authors will give presentations on National Weather Service (NWS) water resources services, including river forecasting, that cover the following topics:

1. Hydrology and River Forecasting 101

a. Overview of the differences between meteorology and hydrology

b. Regional differences in stream responses based on soil, topography, urban/rural, etc

c. What are floods and what causes them?

d. How to interpret a hydrograph

e. Basic overview of hydraulics (e.g. loop rating curves, storm surge, backwater, FIMs)

2. Weather Prediction Center and Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts

a. Overview of the Weather Prediction Center (WPC)

b. Use of quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF) as drivers for river forecasts

c. Other WPC products (e.g., Excessive Rainfall Potential Outlook, Excessive Rainfall Discussion, and Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion)

3. NWS Water Resources Services and the future: the National Water Model

a. National Water Center's mission, vision, and activities

b. National Water Model - What will it provide?

i. Description, including forcings, domain, configurations, product availability, system performance strengths, system performance challenges

ii. Output

iii. Purpose

iv. Primary stakeholders and requirement drivers

v. Format