This session provides attendees with an inside look at the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast process and capabilities to help improve resilience and preparedness. Discussion will walk through a few local Gulf Coast examples of heavy rainfall events: Tropical storms in Houston and an August 2016 event in Baton Rouge area. The presentation will show what we can learn from them, and what the strengths and limitations are for the NWS forecasting such events.
Proficiency Level
Advanced
Learning Objectives
Compare NWS products and services, including forecasts and warnings, information dissemination, and impact-based decision support services (IDSS) for heavy rainfall events
Explain recent innovations within the NWS to enhance education and messaging of heavy rainfall and flooding hazards
Describe what the science can, and cannot do for forecasting heavy rainfall