Long Term Forecaster

Back-to-Back Pacific Storms to Impact the West Coast; Heavy Snow in the Central Appalachians

Back-to-back powerful Pacific storm systems to impact the Pacific Northwest and northern California through the end of this week with heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow. A strong, long-duration atmospheric river will accompany the Pacific storms, bringing excessive rainfall and flash flooding to southwest Oregon and northwest California through the week. Read More >

Long Term Forecasts

Pictured: Meteorologist Lee Robertson

The long term forecaster prepares and issues all long term products (typically hour 36-to-day 7) using the Graphical Forecast Editor (GFE). The graphical portion is in gridded format, which also is turned into text. Some of the products issued include the Area Forecast Discussion, Zone Forecast, and digital products. Forecasts are routinely issued between the hours of 3 and 4 a.m. and again between 3 and 4 p.m., and are updated at anytime when conditions warrant.

All 122 NWS offices are responsible for issuing forecasts through day 7. Forecasts for day 8 through two years are prepared by NWS National Centers, such as the Weather Prediction Center and the Climate Prediction Center.

Here are some of the advisories/watches/warnings issued from this desk: