Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Program Part Chap.
7-9-68 W22 040 E 11
Operations Manual
TELETYPEWRITER MESSAGES, MESSAGE FORMAT, CONTENT, AND TERMINOLOGY
Table of Contents:
1.1 Service C
1.2 RAWARC
1.3 ESSA Weather Wire
1.4 TWX2.1 Observations
2.2 Forecasts
2.2.1 Format
2.2.2 Range and Scope
2.2.3 Qualifying Statements
2.2.4 Stability of Control Structure
2.2.5 When Flood Stage is not Anticipated
2.3 Flood Warnings3. Terminology
Exhibits:
E-11-1 Service "C" - Data Collection, River Data Code
E-11-2 Flood Bulletin
E-11-3 Flood Bulletin - 1st of a Series
E-11-4 Severe Ice Bulletin
E-11-5 Flood Statement
E-11-6 River Statement
E-11-7 River Statement
E-11-8 Headwater Statement
E-11-9 River Stages and Forecasts
E-11-10 National Flood Summary
1. Teletypewriter Messages. There are four types of teletypewriter circuits utilized in the transmission of hydrologic observations and in the dissemination of forecasts and warnings. These are:
1.1 Service C (SR Sequence Message). River and rainfall data as well as river forecasts are transmitted daily each morning on the SR sequence of the Service C communication system of the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). The order of collection is contained in the FAA publication "Service C Weather Schedules." Messages submitted for transmission on Service C should be as brief as possible. During periods of low flows and light precipitation, reports for a few selected stations in the district will be transmitted. During rises, data for additional stations and forecasts will be included. (See Chapter B-23 of this Manual.)
All data will be transmitted in river code following the instructions set forth in the River Data Code Manual. (See Exhibit E-11-1.)
1.2 RAWARC. The RAWARC teletypewriter network will be used for dissemination of bulletins, forecasts and statements as well as collection of rainfall and river observations. (See Chapter G-22 of this Manual.)
1.3 ESSA Weather Wire. ESSA Weather Wire is primarily a system for dissemination to the public. Format and transmission times for hydrologic data will be as directed by the Net Control System. (See Chapter G-20 of this Manual.)
1.4 TWX. Several River Forecast Centers have access to TWX communication facilities for transmission of observations and dissemination of forecasts. Format and content of this traffic will conform to the principles set forth in this Manual.
2. Message Format and Content. Maintenance of a standard format in preparing hydrologic teletypewriter messages, to the extent possible, will assist in ready recognition and understanding of the data or forecast and expedite its handling. These messages are generally of two types, transmission of observations or transmission of forecasts. The latter is usually intended for public dissemination. Samples of hydrologic transmissions are shown as Exhibits to this Chapter.
2.1 Observations. Messages transmitting hydrologic observations between Weather Bureau offices should be prepared according to the instructions in the River Data Code. A typical observation message is shown as Exhibit E-11-1. Headings and teletypewriter routing or relay indicators will conform to the instructions for the circuit being used.
2.2 Forecasts. Transmission of hydrologic forecasts is the final link in the river services program of the Weather Bureau. Care should be exercised in preparation of these messages so as not to degrade the efforts expended in data collection and the computation of a quantitative forecast.
2.2.1 Format. Each forecast will have an identifying heading as stated in Chapter E-10 of this Manual, e.g., "River Forecast - Trinity River." In so far as is possible, each office should adopt a standard format to be used for each forecast transmission. This format should clearly indicate the forecast point, flood or bankfull stage at that point, latest observed stage, the three or five-day forecast (where applicable) and crest stage forecast and time of occurrence. An example of an acceptable format is given in Exhibit E-11-9. However, no single example will fit all situations which may arise, even within a single office. Each River Forecast Center should have examples available that may be used with only slight modification by the duty forecaster.
2.2.2 Range and Scope. Forecasts will be projected only as far as procedures and conditions involved will insure reasonable verification. Forecasts that are not final should be clearly identified and indicate when a revisal forecast will be issued.
The forecast should be made only to the nearest foot or half foot, except where conditions of reporting, accuracy of forecast procedures, and importance of small differences in the water level warrant closer limits.
The bracketing of forecast values (such as -20-22 feet") may at times be desirable. Bracketing should be used only when special circumstances such as forecast rain, inadequate reports, etc., leave some question as to the expected stage. In these cases, a statement to this effect should be included in the forecast.
2.2.3 Qualifying Statements. Primary forecasts issued by the River Forecast Centers direct to River District Offices should contain qualifying statements and comments which will be of assistance to the River District Officials in their interpretations. Such statements and comments may include references to anticipated rainfall or snowmelt, to the course of the flood in other River Districts, to previous floods, and to the general flood situation over the whole of the River Forecast Center operational area.
2.2.4 Stability of Control Structures. Normally no mention should be made in public forecasts of the stability, or lack of stability, of levees, dams, or other engineering works. Upon rare occasions, however, it becomes necessary to qualify a stage forecast made during a flood by stating that the stage will be reached if the levees hold, or that the water will reach some specified stage behind the levees in case of break. Special care and discretion must be exercised even in employing the latter qualification. The River District Official should make every effort to confer with the officials having charge of the engineering works before he refers, even remotely, to their Possible failure.
2.2.5 Forecast When Flood Stage is not Anticipated. Usually the public is anxious and apprehensive when a river is rising and nearing bankfull, especially when rain is falling. If a flood stage is not anticipated, a reassuring forecast to that effect should be issued.
2.3 flood Warnings. The most urgent products issued by the Weather Bureau hydrologic program are the flood warning bulletins. Expeditious preparation and dissemination must be made by all concerned. The heading of the bulletin should clearly indicate its importance. Examples of flood bulletins are shown as exhibits B-11-2 through E-11-3.
The flood warning bulletin should be clear and concise, clearly identifying the point or areas where flooding is expected, severity of flooding and expected time that flooding will commence. Amplifying information should be transmitted following issuance of a flood bulletin as explained in Chapter 8-10.
3. Terminology. The text of all messages should be clear, concise, and technically accurate. Every effort should be made to use language which the public will understand and the use of highly technical terminology should be avoided as far as is possible. The use of certain common hydrologic terms cannot be avoided; however, they should be used accurately, and if there is any doubt as to their meaning, it should be checked in the Glossary, Chapter E-90 of this Manual.
|
SR1 32 101340 SHV FLDST SHV 21609 ACTX 11417 0459 DETX POOL 616.90 80062 80032 LIT FLDST LIT 12429 OBAK 14623 DDAK 12823 PBF 32623 BRAK 16861 EVV FLDST TCIN 34120 OWKY 35828 EVV 38225 MVIN 37550 CREST FCST |
Exhibit E-11-1: Service "C" - Data Collection, River Data Code
|
FLOOD BULLETIN...GUADALUPE AND SAN ANTONIO RIVERS ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU...SAN ANTONIO TEXAS FLOODING ON THE GUADALUPE RIVER CONTINUES FROM THE VICTORIA AREA TO THE COAST THIS MORNING. AT VICTORIA THE GUADALUPE WAS AT STAGE 29.7 FEET THIS MORNING...STILL ABOUT 9 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE. IT IS EXPECTED TO FALL SLOWLY AND RETURN TO WITHIN BANKS LATE SUNDAY...JANUARY 28. FLOODING ON THE LOWER SAN ANTONIO RIVER IS REPORTED FROM GOLIAD SOUTHWARD. AT GOLIAD THIS MORNING THE STAGE WAS 38.3 FEET AND FALLING...ABOUT 3 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE. A CONTINUED FALL AT GOLIAD IS FORECAST WITH A RETURN TO WITHIN BANKS LATE SATURDAY ...JANUARY 27. THE NEXT BULLETIN WILL BE ISSUED AT 4.30 P.M. CST TODAY. |
Exhibit E-11-2: Flood Bulletin
|
FLOOD BULLETIN NO. 1.......ATASCOSA AND FRIO RIVERS ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU....CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS MAJOR FLOODING IS FORECAST ON THE ATASCOSA RIVER FROM BELOW PLEASANTON TO NEAR THREE RIVERS...AND ON THE FRIO RIVER FROM TILDEN TO THREE RIVERS. STAGES FORECAST... WHITSETT...36 FEET/16 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE/...SUNDAY MORNING ...MARCH 31 CALLIHAM...26 FEET/14 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE/...SUNDAY MORNING ALL INTERESTED PERSONS SHOULD BE ON THE ALERT FOR RISING FLOOD WATERS AND STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN NOW FOR PROTECTION OF PROPERTY. THE NEXT BULLETIN WILL BE ISSUED AT 1 PM CST...MARCH 30 1968 END |
Exhibit F-11-3: Flood Bulletin - 1st of a Series
|
SEVERE ICE BULLETIN...MISSISSIPPI RIVER ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU...ST LOUIS MISSOURI A HEAVY FIELD OF ICE AT THE MOUTH OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER BROKE LAST NIGHT. AS THE ICE APPROACHED ALTON DAM THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS STARTED FLUSHING THE ICE OVER THE DAM. FLUSHING THROUGH THE ALTON GATES WILL BREAK UP THE ICE APPRECIABLY AS IT GOES THROUGH THE DAM AND IT WILL BE FURTHER BROKEN UP AS IT GOES THROUGH DAM 27. IT IS NOT ANTICIPATED THAT THE LARGE AMOUNT OF ICE FLOWING DOWN THE RIVER WILL CAUSE ANY APPRECIABLE DAMAGE TO BOATS OR LAND INSTALLATIONS PROPERLY PROTECTED...HOWEVER THE PUBLIC OR AGENCIES WITH SUCH INSTALLATIONS ARE URGED TO TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THERE WILL BE HEAVY FLOATING ICE IN THE ST LOUIS HARBOR AREA BY EVENING. A FURTHER STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED AT 8 A.M. TOMORROW. END |
Exhibit E-11-4: Severe Ice Bulletin
|
FLOOD STATEMENT...PEE DEE RIVER BASIN ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU...CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA OVERFLOW HAS SUBSIDED ONLY 0.1 FOOT SINCE YESTERDAY AT LUMBERTON NORTH CAROLINA ON THE LUMBER RIVER. THE STAGE THIS MORNING WAS 9.4 FEET /1.4 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE/. THE SLOW FALL WILL CONTINUE. THE LOWER REACHES OF THE GREAT PEE DEE ARE FLOODING AND WILL REMAIN SO FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD. SWAMPS ARE INUNDATED ABOUT 2 FEET ALONG THE LITTLE PEE DEE IN THE GALIVANTS FERRY AREA. THE STREAM IS ESTIMATED TO BE SLIGHTLY BELOW THE 9 FOOT STAGE AND ABOUT STATIONARY. THE WACCAMAW AT CONWAY IS OVERFLOWING INTO LOW UNINHABITED SWAMPLAND WHICH IS UNDER ABOUT ONE HALF FOOT OF WATER IN THE LOWEST AREAS. LITTLE IF ANY FURTHER RISE IS EXPECTED. FLOOD STAGE /7 FEET/ WILL NOT BE REACHED AT CONWAY. THE YADKIN...LYNCHES...BLACK...NORTH FORK EDISTO...AND EDISTO RIVERS ARE ALL WITHIN THEIR LOWER BANKS AT GAGING STATIONS. NO SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF PRECIPITATION ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THESE RIVER BASINS TODAY AND TOMORROW. NO IMPORTANT CHANGE IN STREAM CONDITIONS IS INDICATED. END |
Exhibit E-11-5: Flood Statement
|
RIVER STATEMENT...ALLEGHENY...MONONGAHELA...AND UPPER OHIO RIVERS ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU...PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA ICE CONDITION AND FORECAST. LIGHT SHORE AND FLOATING ICE WAS REPORTED ON THE ALLEGHENY RIVER FROM LOCK 2 SHARPSBURG PA UPSTREAM TO LOCK 4 NATRONA PA. FROM LOCK 5 FREEPORT PA UPSTREAM TO EMLENTON PA THE RIVER IS FROZEN OVER WITH ICE FROM 3 TO 10 INCHES THICK WITH PATCHES OF OPEN WATER. THE ICE GORGE AT EAST BRADY PA IS HOLDING AND REFLECTING NEAR BANKFULL STAGES AT PARKER PA. THE PARKER RIVER STAGE THIS MORNING IS 18.0 FEET...2 FEET BELOW FLOOD STAGE. A SECONDARY GORGE WAS REPORTED NEAR FORD CITY PA DOWNSTREAM FROM KITTANNING. FRENCH CREEK AT MEADVILLE PA REMAINS FROZEN OVER WITH ICE FROM 3 TO 6 INCHES THICK WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN THE ICE GORGE AT SAEGERSTOWN PA. ON THE MONONGAHELA RIVER...BROKEN ICE 2 TO 3 INCHES THICK WAS REPORTED IN THE UPPER POOLS FROM LOCK 4 CHARLEROI PA UPSTREAM TO OPEKISKA LOCK 7 DAM W VA. NO ICE WAS REPORTED ON THE UPPER OHIO RIVER DOWNSTREAM TO DAM 13 MCMECHEN W VA. WITH MODERATING TEMPERATURES DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS...THE ICE COVER ON THE ALLEGHENY RIVER IS EXPECTED TO DETERIORATE GRADUALLY AND WITH INCREASED RUNOFF FROM SNOWMELT SOME MOVEMENT OF THE ICE GORGES MAY OCCUR EARLY NEXT WEEK. THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE FLOOD THREAT ON THE ALLEGHENY RIVER. THE ICE COVER ON THE MONONGAHELA RIVER IS EXPECTED TO DETERIORATE SLOWLY THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. THE FIVE DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK INDICATES MILD TEMPERATURES AND LITTLE IF ANY PRECIPITATION THROUGH WEDNESDAY...JANUARY 24... WITH HIGHS AVERAGING IN THE 40S AND LOWS IN THE 30S. THE NEXT STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED MONDAY...JANUARY 22. END |
Exhibit E-11-6: River Statement
|
RIVER STATEMENT... CONCERNING THE WHITE RIVER BASIN OF ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU...LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS RAINFALL DURING THE PAST 36 HOURS HAS BEEN MODERATE TO HEAVY FROM WEST CENTRAL ARKANSAS...INTO NORTHWEST ARKANSAS...AND INTO PARTS OF SOUTHERN MISSOURI. AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE COMMON. THIS RAINFALL IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE MODERATE RISES ON STREAMS AND RIVERS IN THE HILLY HEADWATER AREAS OF THE WHITE RIVER BASIN OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI AND NORTHERN ARKANSAS. NO FLOOD TREAT IS APPARENT YET BUT ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINFALL COULD CAUSE STREAMS TO RISE RAPIDLY...ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE HILLY AREAS OF NORTHERN ARKANSAS AND SOUTHERN MISSOURI. PERSONS IN THE AREA SHOULD REMAIN ALERT AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION SHOULD ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINS OCCUR. WEATHER BUREAU FORECASTS INDICATE THE RAIN THREAT WILL CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER 24 TO 48 HOURS. END |
Exhibit F-11-7: River Statement
|
HEADWATER STATEMENT...POTOMAC...RAPPAHANNOCK...JAMES...AND MARSHYHOPE ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU RIVER FORECAST FACILITY...WASHINGTON D C BASED ON CONDITIONS AT 290700E THE FOLLOWING 24 HOUR PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS IN INCHES ARE REQUIRED TO CAUSE LOCAL FLOODING IN THE AREAS SHOWN. |
|
| PRECIP REQUIRED |
|
|
|
|
|
UPPER RAPPAHANNOCK BASIN |
2.5 |
|
UPPER POTOMAC BASIN |
2.5 |
|
MONOCACY BASIN |
2.0 |
|
BUCHANAN VA |
2.0 |
|
LICK RUN VA 10 FEET |
1.0 |
|
FEDERALSBURG MD 5 FEET |
1.5 3.5 |
| FOR THE FOLLOWING BASINS THE PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS SHOWN ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE FLOOD STAGE OR THE INDICATED STAGE IN THE INDICATED DURATION. | |
|
|
RUNOFF DURATION |
|
|
6 HR 12 HR 24 HR |
|
PETERSBURG W VA |
1.7 1.9 2.4 |
|
ROCK CREEK DC |
2.3 2.7 3.3 |
|
BUENA VISTA VA 13 FEET |
2.3 2.4 2.7 |
|
17 FEET |
3.5 3.7 4.2 |
|
21 FEET |
4.9 5.2 5.9 |
|
CURRENT API FOR FEDERALSBURG 1.20 BVVA 1.05 CVVA 0.95 PTG 1.20 END |
|
Exhibit E-11-8: Headwater Statement
|
RIVER STAGES AND FORECASTS..... ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU...KANSAS CITY MISSOURI |
|||||||
| STREAM AND STATION MISSOURI RIVER..... |
BF | AM STAGE | 3-DAY FORECAST 3/22 3/23 3/24 |
CREST | DATE | ||
| SIOUX CITY IA | 16 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | ||
| OMAHA NEBR | 19 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.9 | ||
| KANSAS CITY MO | 22 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.6 | ||
| ST CHARLES MO | 25 | 14.5 | 15.9 | 16.0 | 14.5 | ||
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER..... | |||||||
| ST LOUIS MO | 30 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | ||
| CHESTER ILL | 27 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 10.1 | 10.3 | ||
| CAPE GIRARDEAU MO | 32 | 17.9 | 18.0 | 17.2 | 16.4 | 18.3 | 3/22 |
| NEW MADRID MO | 34 | 24.5 | 26.0 | 26.8 | 27.0 | 27.0 | 3/24 |
| OHIO RIVER..... | |||||||
| CAIRO ILL | 40 | 34.4 | 35.8 | 36.0 | 35.5 | 36.0 | 3/23 |
| THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN ALL REACHES OF THE CLARKSVILLE/WINFIFLD/AND ALTON POOLS WILL CHANGE LITTLE NEXT FEW DAYS. | |||||||
Exhibit E-11-9: River Stages and Forecasts
|
ALSYM A MSDC 311920Z ESSA...WEATHER BUREAU...NATIONAL FLOOD SUMMARY AT 2.15 PM EST SEVERE FLOODING OCCURRED DURING LAST NIGHT ALONG A TWENTY MILE STRETCH OF THE ALLEGHENY RIVER IN PENNSYLVANIA INVOLVING THE TOWNS OF FOXBURG...PARKER...AND EAST BRADY. SOME FAMILIES WERE EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOMES. SERIOUS ICE DAMAGE WAS REPORTED AT ALL THREE OF THESE URBAN AREAS. MAJOR FLUCTUATIONS IN RIVER STAGE OCCURRED WITH AS MUCH AS FOUR FOOT OVERFLOW REPORTED AT PARKER AND FOXBURG. STEADY ICE FLOW AND RECEDING RIVER ARE REPORTED TODAY. A HEAVY ICE FLOW WAS REPORTED ON THE MISSOURI RIVER BETWEEN WAVERLY AND GLASGOW MISSOURI THIS MORNING AND INTERESTS AT DOWNSTREAM POINTS ARE ALERTED TO THIS DANGER. FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH SNOW MELT RUNOFF AND AN ICE GORGE OCCURRED LAST NIGHT ON THE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NORTH OF WINSLOW ARIZONA WITH SOME HOUSES REPORTED FLOODED. THE WATER IS DOWN TODAY. FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR FORECAST ON A NUMBER OF OTHER STREAMS IN A LARGE AREA EXTENDING FROM EASTERN TEXAS TO THE SOUTHERN LAKES REGION ...AS REPORTED IN YESTERDAYS SUMMARY. CREST STAGES HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED IN THE UPPER REACHES OF SEVERAL STREAMS AS IN PORTIONS OF THE WABASH BASIN IN INDIANA AND IN THE MAUMEE BASIN IN INDIANA AND THE SANDUSKY RIVER IN OHIO WHERE ICE ACTION HAS ALSO INFLUENCED STAGES. OHIO RIVER BASIN..... THE GREAmanual OVERFLOW IS OCCURRING ALONG THE WABASH RIVER WHICH IS CRESTING TODAY NEAR NINE FEET OVER FLOOD STAGE AT LAFAYETTE INDIANA. FIVE TO NINE FOOT OVERFLOW WILL OCCUR AT STATIONS DOWNSTREAM TO TERRE HAUTE INDIANA DURING THE NEXT ONE TO THREE DAYS WITH LOWER CREST STAGES ON DOWNSTREAM TO THE MOUTH BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. PRECIPITATION..... PRECIPITATION OCCURRED FROM NORTH CAROLINA THRU NEW YORK STATE AND NEW ENGLAND AND WESTWARD THRU THE OHIO AND TENNESSEE VALLEYS LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY THRU THE SOUTHEASTERN PLAINS...ALSO THRU THE PACIFIC COAST STATES AND NORTHERN ROCKIES. MORE THAN AN INCH OCCURRED IN A NARROW BAND FROM NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS AND IN THE SIERRAS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. 1933Z RJH |
Exhibit E-11-10: National Flood Summary
WBOM Issuance
68-17 7-9-68