NWS Dallas/Fort Worth Public/Media Guide - Hydrologic Weather Definitions Frame

<body bgcolor="#ffffff" leftmargin="0" topmargin="0"> <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0"> <tr bgcolor="#cccccc"> <td width="10"> </td> <td align="left">National Weather Service</td> <td align="right">Dallas/Fort Worth</td> <td width="10"> </td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"><table width="90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr><td><br> <div align="center"><h3>Hydrologic Weather Definitions</h3></div> <dl><dt><b>Outlook</b></dt> <dd>An outlook is used to indicate that a hazardous weather or hydrologic event may develop. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Watch</b></dt> <dd>A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Warning/Advisory</b></dt> <dd>These products are issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurrence. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. Advisories are for less serious conditions that cause significant inconvenience and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Flood</b></dt> <dd>The inundation of a normally dry area caused by an increased water level in an established watercourse, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch, or ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Flood/Flash Flood Warning</b></dt> <dd>Issued to inform you that flooding is imminent or in progress.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Flood/Flash Flood Watch</b></dt> <dd>Issued to inform the public and cooperating agencies that current and developing hydrometeorological conditions are such that there is a threat of flooding, but the occurrence is neither certain nor imminent.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Urban and Small Stream Flooding</b></dt> <dd>Flooding of small streams, streets, and low-lying areas, such as railroad underpasses and urban storm drains. This type of flooding is mainly an inconvenience and is generally not life threatening nor is it significantly damaging to property.</dd></dl> <br><br></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">NWS Dallas/Fort Worth: <a href="../fwd/">Home</a> | <a href="../fwd/forecast.htm">Forecasts</a> | <a href="../fwd/currentwx.html">Current Weather</a> | <a href="http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/national.html">Radar</a> | <a href="http://204.185.136.10/awc/aviation_weather_center.html">Aviation</a> | <a href="../fwd/skywarn.html">Preparedness</a><br> <a href="../fwd/lakes.htm">Hydrology & River Info</a> | <a href="../fwd/radio.html">NOAA Weather Radio</a> | <a href="../fwd/ntexclima.html">Climat Data</a> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="0" bgcolor="#000000"> <tr align="center"> <td width="2%"> </td> <td align="left" width="30%"><b><span class="white">Definitions</span></b></td> <td width="5%"><a onmouseover="act('fb')" onmouseout="inact('fb')" href="hydrof.htm"><img src="../images/fboff.gif" alt="Hydrologic Weather Introduction" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="fb"></a></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="5%"><img src="../images/g.gif" width="23" height="23" border="0"></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="6%"><a onmouseover="act('co')" onmouseout="inact('co')" href="../contents.htm"><img src="../images/cooff.gif" alt="Table of Contents" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="co"></a></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="5%"><a onmouseover="act('f')" onmouseout="inact('f')" href="esff.htm"><img src="../images/foff.gif" alt="Flood Potential Outlook" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="f"></a></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="5%"><a onmouseover="act('ff')" onmouseout="inact('ff')" href="../routine/routinef.htm"><img src="../images/ffoff.gif" alt="Winter Weather" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="ff"></a></td> <td align="right" width="30%"><b><span class="white">Hydrologic Weather Products</span></b></td> <td width="2%"> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </body>