Hydrology Education: Flood Products

Heavy Rain in the Southern Appalachians; Fire Weather and Heat in the West; Monitoring Tropical Storm Erin

Heavy to excessive rainfall over the southern Appalachians may bring areas of flooding today. Gusty winds and low relative humidity will bring critical fire weather conditions to parts of the Great Basin and northern Rockies today and Thursday. Hot to extremely hot temperatures are in place through today across parts of the western U.S. Read More >

Flood Products

Outlook

A hydrologic outlook is issued to provide notice of noteworthy rises on area rivers, but when the details are uncertain. River flooding and ice jams may be possible but there is low confidence in the timing, location, or extent.
Keep informed.

Watch

A flood watch is issued to provide notice that flooding is probable, but not yet certain. Many of the ingredients that lead to flooding are likely to occur in and near the indicated area, but there is not yet high confidence in the timing, location, or extent.
Prepare now.

Warning

A flood warning is issued to provide notice that flooding is very likely or already occurring. Confidence is high that flooding will occur within the area and time specified. Flooding may be life-threatening and damaging to property.
Take Action!

Graphic indicating outlooks are typically issued with the most lead time but the least confidence, watches are issued if confidence increases and the event gets closer, and warnings are issued when confidence is highest and the event is imminent

Advisory

A flood advisory is issued to provide notice that flooding is very likely or already occurring, but flooding will be generally minor and a nuisance. Risk to life and property is expected to be very low when persons use caution to avoid particularly flood-prone areas. If rainfall is still occurring, a flood advisory may be upgraded to a flood warning.
Be aware.

	If river forecasts suggest that flooding may occur, The National Weather Service will issue various products depending on the threat.

Flood Products Outlook A hydrologic outlook is issued to provide notice of noteworthy rises on area rivers, but when the details are uncertain. River flooding and ice jams may be possible but there is low confidence in the timing, location, or extent. Keep informed. Watch A flood watch is issued to provide notice that flooding is probable, but not yet certain. Many of the ingredients that lead to flooding are likely to occur in and near the indicated area, but there is not yet high confidence in the timing, location, or extent. Prepare now. Warning A flood warning is issued to provide notice that flooding is very likely or already occurring. Confidence is high that flooding will occur within the area and time specified. Flooding may be life-threatening and damaging to property. Take Action! Advisory A flood advisory is issued to provide notice that flooding is very likely or already occurring, but flooding will be generally minor and a nuisance. Risk to life and property is expected to be very low when persons use caution to avoid particularly flood-prone areas. If rainfall is still occurring, a flood advisory may be upgraded to a flood warning. Be aware.

More Information Flood Related Products (NWS)