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Introduction
The Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC) relies heavily
on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to complement our mission
of saving lives and reducing property damages. The LMRFC utilizes
the many capabilities of a GIS platform along with associated
applications to automate graphic production, derive initial soil
parameters for model calibration, generate status maps, provide
flood information, create graphics for use in presentations and
posters, etc. The multi-functionality of GIS provides the capability
of generating easy to read graphics that convey a wealth of geospatial
information for many of LMRFC’s services and products.
Operational
Use of GIS
The objective at the LMRFC is to make the process of generating
GIS graphics as proficient as possible by automating the processes
of graphic production. Scripts run daily at specified times and
ingest required data, such as precipitation, and create various
overlays on LMRFC base maps (Figure 1). Using this approach, we
are able to automatically generate over 5000 graphics daily using
GIS. These automated processes allow the hydrometeorologists to
strengthen their focus on precipitation analyses, quality control
of river and rainfall data, and on river and flood forecasting.
Some specific GIS products available from the LMRFC include river
status maps showing flooding conditions, precipitation totals
(both past and future), flash flood guidance, significant flood
outlooks, and more. The web link to the LMRFC river status map
is www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/.
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For
all river forecast locations, flood status symbols are color coded
to show if a river location is below or above flood stage. The
status map is updated twice each hour. Over 4500 precipitation
products are generated daily and include forecasted precipitation
out to 72 hours in the future, all past precipitation in hourly,
daily, month-to-date, and year-to-date increments, as well as,
percent of normal precipitation. The flash flood guidance graphic
depicts the amount of rainfall required over a particular area,
within a specified time, to produce flash flooding. The Significant
Flood Outlook graphic displays a generalized area of significant
flooding that either has significant flooding already in progress
or is forecasted to occur within the next five days. All of these
graphics are generated daily and posted to the LMRFC website.
GIS is also used at the
LMRFC to derive initial sets of soil moisture parameters for the
purpose of basin calibration and hydrologic model improvements.
In addition, GIS is capable of generating and displaying many
useful basin calibration datasets; including, soil types, long
term precipitation averages, evaporation, forest type and cover,
and many others.
Another use of GIS at
the LMRFC is general map production for papers, posters, and presentations
(Figure 2). These maps can graphically display locations of river
and rain gages, the LMRFC area of responsibility, areal and point
precipitation, and other information for use by emergency managers,
academia, Weather Forecast Offices, external agencies, etc. GIS
graphics assist many of our users with easier visualization and
interpretation of important data and messages.
Conclusion
GIS at the LMRFC has evolved into an integral part of our everyday
operations. It is a necessary tool for easily conveying large
amounts of geospatial data to the user as either a web graphic
or for the purpose of instructional presentation. GIS at the National
Weather Service, Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center has become
an invaluable tool in meeting our mission of reducing the loss
of life and property.
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