Flood Forecast Operations at the National Weather Service Forecast Office

Proceedings of the 2003 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held April 23-24, 2003, at the University of Georgia.The National Weather Service mission is to protect life and property and to enhance the economic well-being of the United States through the issuance of weather and water forecasts and warnings. Greater technology has provided the growing capability to extract critical hydro-meteorological information and predict natural hazards related to weather, water, and climate with increasing confidence. National Weather Service Doppler Radar (WSR-88D), the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) and the Weather Forecast Office Hydrologic Forecast System (WHFS) highlight this high tech capacity. In addition, the design of interaction between the National Weather Service Forecast Offices (WFOs) and the River Forecast Centers (RFCs) afford a pathway for accurate and timely hydrological forecasts and warnings. These products are disseminated through a number of possible venues for public use whereby action can be taken to save lives and property during times of hazardous weather