NWS Sterling, VA - Online Tour - Hydrology

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HYDROLOGY

Although weather may be the main focus of our attention, it is not our only area of responsibility. There is a Service Hydrologist (SH) position on staff at this office, who directs our local hydrology operations. The SH works in conjunction with our partners, customers, and servicing River Forecast Center (RFC; for us it’s in State College PA).

Hydrology activities on station include collecting daily observations, monitoring river stages, and issuing river flood warnings or statements if needed. Hydro obs generally consists of high/low temperatures and amount of rainfall (if any). During the winter season, observations also include the amount of snowfall, snow depth, and the water equivalent of the snow pack.

Paw Paw Observation sites are distributed throughout our area of responsibility. Most of these individuals are volunteers, although some receive a very small stipend. These reports are quality controlled by us, and then sent to the RFC. The hydrologists on duty at the RFC use these reports, gather additional river gage data, and from it make river stage forecasts at larger, predetermined locations. They also issue flash flood guidance (how much rain would have to fall in a given time interval for flooding to occur on a county-by-county basis). The hydrologists are available 16 hours/day to provide guidance as needed; however, any statements and warnings are the responsibility of the local forecast office.

(Left: River gage at Paw Paw, WV)

The AWIPS workstation has software for hydrology surveillance and automated product preparation. Included in this software is the ability to view river gage data, dial up precipitation gages, view flash flood guidance, and integrate this information with records and station histories to prepare statements. For instance, some of the details included could compare the river stage forecast to a previous flood event, or detail what this stage may inundate. An example of the main display screen can be seen below. Each triangle represents a river gage in our Hydrologic Service Area (HSA). The stations in green report levels below flood stage. The triangle turns yellow when action stage is reached; the station is not yet in flood, but is threatening. When a station exceeds flood stage, the triangle turns red.

HydroView display

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