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National Weather Service Statements and
Warnings
The National Weather Service
will issue a number of watch, warning, or advisory products during conditions
when heavy rain and flash flooding are likely. These messages are available
through our own NOAA Weather Radio, through your over
the air radio and television broadcasts or cable television systems, and through
EMWIN satellite weather
information system.
What to listen for...
The National Weather Service will issue daily Hazardous
Weather Outlooks each morning around 6 am. This product will provide an
early notice of any risk of heavy rain or flash flooding for your area during
the next 24 hours. A Flash Flood Watch is
issued when forecasters feel conditions are favorable for flash floods.
As rain increases, forecasters use both radar data and
precipitation reports to target locations where heavy down pours or repeating
rains create a risk of sudden and dangerous storm runoff. A Flash
Flood Warning will be issued when life-threatening conditions are
expected within a county or community. Urban and
Small Stream Flood Advisories are issued for less than life-threatening
conditions to call attention to city street flooding and the rapid filling of
small streams and arroyos in rural areas of the state.
Remember what the following products mean...
Flash Flood Watch - Flash flooding or
flooding is possible within the designated watch area. Be alert. The watch provides
you with a longer lead time when conditions are favorable for flash floods.
Flash Flood Warning - Flash flooding
and conditions which are life-threatening have been reported or are imminent in your area.
If you are in the warned area take necessary precautions immediately.
Urban/ Arroyo and Small Stream Advisory
- Flooding of small streams, arroyos, streets, and other low-lying areas is occurring.
Normally, this type of flooding is not imminently life-threatening, but use extra
caution.
Flash Flood Statement
- Provides
follow-up information regarding a flash flood event or additional details regarding a
warning or watch.
Short Term Forecast - Provides latest
information on heavy rain location, rainfall amounts, and expected path of storms and
other information on winds and weather during the next one to three hours.
No specific warnings are issued for lightning. Information on
lightning frequency may be included in flash flood warnings and statements or in other messages such
as the short term forecast and severe thunderstorm warnings. Remember, lightning
occurs with all thunderstorms so move indoors as storms approach your location
or develop nearby.
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