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Home » Hydrology
Hydrologic Program
The National Weather Service (NWS) at Birmingham, Alabama, has forecast and
warning responsibility for its Hydrologic Service Area (HSA). This includes roughly
the northern two-thirds of Alabama. All or portions of the following major rivers and
their drainages are included in the HSA:
- Alabama River
- Black Warrior River
- Cahaba River
- Coosa River
- Tallapoosa River
- Tennessee River
- Tombigbee River
The Service Hydrologist (SH) and staff at NWS Birmingham have responsibility for
issuing timely hydrologic warnings, statements and other river bulletins concerning
mainstream flooding. The SH also ensures that other routine products are issued on a
daily basis. These include the Alabama River Summary and the Five Day Stage Forecasts
valid at 8:00 A.M. for selected forecast points in the HSA.
The success of hydrologic forecasting depends greatly on the quality of rainfall and
river data collected each day. The SH acts as a liaison between the National Weather Service
and a number of governmental agencies and private companies in an effort to acquire the best data
available. These groups include the Alabama Power Company,
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, and the
Tennessee Valley Authority. Data collected in
cooperation with these groups is vital to the success of the hydrologic forecast program.
The data is collected and forwarded each day to National Weather Service River Forecast
Centers in Atlanta, GA,
and Slidell, LA.
There it is ingested into hydrologic forecast models to
generate river forecast guidance for the HSA. This guidance is used by NWS Birmingham in the
issuance of River Forecasts and Flood Warnings.
In addition to River Forecasts and Flood Warnings, the hydrologic
program also includes the issuance of Flash Flood Watches and Warnings during
heavy rainfall events in the HSA.
Hydrologic Products Issued by NWS Birmingham, AL
- River Statement - This is a statement of river conditions when there are significant rises on the river, but the river is not expected to reach flood stage.
- Flood Statement - Issued to provide follow-up information for rivers for which flood warnings have been issued.
- Flood Warning - Initial issuance of a forecast for a river forecast point that is expected to go into flood. The time and height of the forecast crest is given.
- River Summary - A summary of river stages and lake elevations for selected points on rivers in the hydrologic service area. It also includes the 24 hour change in elevation.
- River Forecasts - Forecasts of river stages and/or crest stages for selected forecast points on area rivers.
- Flash Flood Statement - A statement providing follow-up information on flash flood watches and warnings.
- Flash Flood Watch - A statement that alerts people to the possibility of flash flooding in a specified area.
- Flash Flood Warning - Issued to warn of flash flooding that is imminent or occurring.
- Flood Potential Outlook - Issued to alert the public of a potentially heavy rainfall event that could send area rivers and streams into flood or aggravate flooding already in progress.
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National Weather Service
Birmingham, Alabama Weather Forecast Office
465 Weathervane Road
Calera, Alabama 35040
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Page last modified: February 22, 2002
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