NWS Western Water Supply Forecast Services
Location
ECC 303/305
Event Website
https://water.usu.edu/
Start Date
4-1-2008 11:00 AM
End Date
4-1-2008 11:15 AM
Description
The National Weather Service (NWS) routinely makes forecasts for seasonal streamflow run off volumes for snow melt dominated basins in the western United States. Water supply forecasts rely on two primary tools: Statistical Water Supply (SWS) and Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP). SWS is based on regression equations while ESP is based on the NWS continuous hydrology forecast model. These tools are augmented by forecaster experience and the coordination process with other forecasting entities. For the 2008 water year, the NWS is releasing a powerful new collection of web based applications to provide forecast users with a much greater depth of data than before including ensemble, forecast verification, and legacy applications. Ensemble streamflow prediction forecasts are routinely provided by the six NWS River Forecast Centers to this single page. Users can parse ensemble forecasts according to various climate conditions, access numerical ensemble values for their own applications, or compare predictions against previous predictions and/or observations. Verification capabilities allow both forecasters and users to generate customized graphics with information on historical forecast skill. In addition, all capabilities from previous versions including maps and forecast time evolution plots are available. Future plans include development of tools to provide the water resource community with information about relationships between surface water and climate change and variability. The current NWS web service is located here: www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/westernwater
NWS Western Water Supply Forecast Services
ECC 303/305
The National Weather Service (NWS) routinely makes forecasts for seasonal streamflow run off volumes for snow melt dominated basins in the western United States. Water supply forecasts rely on two primary tools: Statistical Water Supply (SWS) and Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP). SWS is based on regression equations while ESP is based on the NWS continuous hydrology forecast model. These tools are augmented by forecaster experience and the coordination process with other forecasting entities. For the 2008 water year, the NWS is releasing a powerful new collection of web based applications to provide forecast users with a much greater depth of data than before including ensemble, forecast verification, and legacy applications. Ensemble streamflow prediction forecasts are routinely provided by the six NWS River Forecast Centers to this single page. Users can parse ensemble forecasts according to various climate conditions, access numerical ensemble values for their own applications, or compare predictions against previous predictions and/or observations. Verification capabilities allow both forecasters and users to generate customized graphics with information on historical forecast skill. In addition, all capabilities from previous versions including maps and forecast time evolution plots are available. Future plans include development of tools to provide the water resource community with information about relationships between surface water and climate change and variability. The current NWS web service is located here: www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/westernwater
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/runoff/2008/AllAbstracts/47