Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts


Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts, or QPF, is a prediction of rainfall amounts over an area. In this case, the area is that of the ABRFC. Since September 1994, we have been including QPF in our hydrologic forecasts. Twice a day, we receive a QPF forecast from Weather Forecast Offices in our area and then the hydro-meteorologist (HAS) on-duty creates a composite QPF product. Future basin average precipitation or future mean areal precipitation (FMAP) is derived from the composite QPF product and incorporated into our hydrologic model. Click here for a discussion about precipitation measurements and relationships to hydrologic modeling. In the tables below QPF products for 6 hour periods for the next 24 hours are available in two different formats. The data are stored as both gif images and netCDF files. Also available is the composite 24 hour QPF in gif and netcdf format. As of July 1 1996, the ABRFC is integrating 24 hour QPF twice daily, once at 12z (6 or 7 am local time) and again at 00z (6 or 7 local time).They have the same resolution as the Stage III products.

ABRFC GRAPHIC QPF Products

Morning QPF Graphics
Issued by 8 a.m. Central Time
Evening QPF Graphics
Issued by 8 p.m. Central Time

Period 1 (12Z-18Z)

Period 2 (18Z-00Z)

Total (12Z-12Z)

Period 1 (00Z-06Z)

Period 2 (06Z-12Z)

Total (00Z-00Z)

Period 3 (00Z-06Z)

Period 4 (06Z-12Z)

Period 3 (12Z-18Z)

Period 4 (18Z-00Z)


ABRFC QPF Verification Graphics

Morning Verification Graphics
Updated by 8 a.m. Central Time
Evening Verification Graphics
Updated by 8 p.m. Central Time
Period 1(12Z-18Z) Stage III M.A.P. WFO M.A.P. Difference Period 1(00Z-06Z) Stage III M.A.P WFO M.A.P Difference
Period 2(18Z-00Z) Stage III M.A.P. WFO M.A.P. Difference Period 2(06Z-12Z) Stage III M.A.P. WFO M.A.P Difference
Period 3(00Z-06Z) Stage III M.A.P. WFO M.A.P. Difference Period 3(12Z-18Z) Stage III M.A.P. WFO M.A.P Difference
Period 4(06Z-12Z) Stage III M.A.P. WFO M.A.P. Difference Period 4(18Z-00Z) Stage III M.A.P. WFO M.A.P Difference


ABRFC NETCDF QPF Products

Morning QPF Binary
Issued by 8 a.m. Central Time
Evening QPF Binary
Issued by 8 p.m. Central Time
Period 1 (12Z-18Z) Period 1 (00Z-06Z)
Period 2 (18Z-00Z) Period 2 (06Z-12Z)
Period 3 (00Z-06Z) Period 3 (12Z-18Z)
Period 4 (06Z-12Z) Period 4 (18Z-00Z)
Total (12Z-12Z) Total (00Z-00Z)


Next 10 days of expected rainfall.