National Weather Service Forecast Office - Memphis, TN

The NWSFO Memphis Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) includes rivers in west Tennessee, north Mississippi, northeast Arkansas, and the bootheel of Missouri. The HSA is serviced by two River forecast Centers; the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC) provides forecasts for the Mississippi River mainstem and tributaries, and the Southeast River Forecast Center (SERFC) provides forecasts for the Tombigbee River and tributaries in north Mississippi.

River gaging in the Memphis HSA is a cooperative effort between the National Weather Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Geological Survey. NWS river forecasts are based, to a great extent, on data from these cooperating agencies and the network of volunteer Cooperative Observers who report daily rainfall amount. For more information, see the USGS facts sheets, Stream Gaging and Flood Forecasting and Streamflow Information for the Nation.

Hydrology Products

River Flood Warning -Issued when a river has exceeded or is expected to exceed its flood stage.
River Flood Statements -Provides updated information for valid flood warnings and are issued daily or as required while a river remains above flood stage.

*Last warning/statement issued will be displayed, please check date to see if product is current.
Flood Watch -Issued to inform the public and cooperating agencies that current or developing hydrometeorological conditions are such that there is a threat of flooding in the next 12-36 hours, but the occurrence is neither certian nor imminent. Persons in the watch area are thereby advised to check flood actions plans, keep informed, and be ready to take necessary actions if a warning is issued or flooding is observed.
River Forecasts and Statements -Issued daily at 11 am which shows the 7 am stages and three day forecasts for rivers in the Memphis Hydrologic Service Area. Also, issued for significant within bank rises, as needed.
River Summary -Issued at 9:30 am each day and provides morning stages, 24 hour change, and 24 hour precipitation totals for selected rivers and lakes. Some of these rivers and lakes are not in the Memphis HSA, but are included due to public interest.
River Recreation Statement -Issued around 11 am each day and contains the Tennessee River Basin Lake Stages and Forecasts furnished by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Flood Potential Outlooks -Usually issued in the springtime, but can be issued at other times if hydrometeorological conditions indicate that a significantly heavy precipitation episode may occur that would either cause flooding or aggrivate existing flooding. This product provides a longer range (generally 24-36 hours and beyond) overview of hydrometeorological conditions, river levels, and soil moisture content. The National Hydrological Outlook gives hydrological conditions for the nation. This site has maps showing flooding areas of concern, soil moisture conditions, stream flow conditions, etc.
Lower Ohio/Mississippi River Forecasts -Issued daily around 10 am and provides the 7 am stages and five day forecasts for the lower Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers from Smithland Dam to New Orleans.
Extended Streamflow Prediction -Issued every Wednesday by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. It gives a 30 day forecast of Mississippi River stages from Cape Girardeau, MO to Red River Landing, LA. The forecasts are designed to be used by river barge traffic.
Daily Rainfall Reports from Coop Observers -Issued daily by the NWSFO in Memphis. This product gives 24 hour rainfall and maximum/minimum temperature reports from Coop observers across the County warning area.

Questions or comments concerning the hydrology program can be sent to: Gene Rench, Service Hydrologist