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

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

3. Regional Offices

4. 122 NWS Offices

5. Texas NWS Offices

6. NWS Forecast Office Midland, Texas WFO MAF

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

8. Responsibilities WFO Midland PublicAviationFire WeatherHydrology ForecastsWatches/Warnings

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

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

15. 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: www.weather.gov Other

16. MAF Contact Database

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

18. 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

19. Questions???