Hydrometeorological Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
702 AGUS74 KWCO 091523 HMDNWC National Hydrologic Discussion - EXPERIMENTAL NWS National Water Center - Tuscaloosa AL 915 AM CST SAT NOV 9 2024 .Synopsis... Considerable flash and urban flooding impacts expected across Louisiana...locally considerable flooding impacts possible across Puerto Rico and the USVI...Periods of rainfall, with isolated river flooding possible across the Northwest...Flooding possible Sunday and Monday across the Mariana Islands...River flooding continues across the Southeast and the Ozark Plateau (MO/AR)... .Discussion... .Louisiana... Considerable flash and urban flooding impacts are likely across southwestern and central LA this afternoon and tonight as tropical moisture from Rafael, currently in the central Gulf, interacts with an approaching frontal boundary and generates heavy to locally intense rainfall. Despite near normal antecedent conditions ahead of this rainfall, the locally intense nature of the rainfall will overwhelm current infiltration capacity, generating rapid runoff into nearby streams and urban drainages. Areas particularly at risk for considerable flooding impacts are areas from the TX/LA border to near Alexandria, LA as this region has higher soil moisture and more urban areas. River ensemble and PQPF guidance continue to suggest the potential for isolated minor river flooding across this region, particularly near bayous draining into the Calcasieu Basin in southwestern LA. Similar to yesterday, the exact placement of impacts still remains somewhat unclear as it is heavily dependent on how close the center of Rafael gets to the coast though intense rainfall rates should be expected and significant flooding impacts are likely in low-lying and urban areas. Guidance from both the GFS and NBM-forced National Water Model (NWM) continue to indicate isolated small stream responses across central LA over the next 24 hours. Corresponding annual exceedance probabilities (AEPs), per the High Flow Magnitude Forecast, aren`t particularly impressive, with the majority of the AEPs at or above 50%. However, some AEPs as low as 20% are noted near Alexandria, LA, which somewhat increases confidence in the potential for significant stream rises/flooding in this region. .Puerto Rico and the USVI... Locally considerable flooding impacts are likely through day 2 (Sun) across the islands as a tropical wave continues to bring periods of moderate to heavy rainfall. While soils across the entire region are saturated (65 - 90% RSM, 0 - 100 cm NASA SPoRT), the eastern portions of Puerto Rico, as well as the USVI, are most vulnerable to additional heavy rainfall, given the 5 - 15"+ of rainfall received over the last week (RFC QPE). Guidance from the NWM 48-Hour Forecast is indicating scattered small stream responses across the northern and eastern portions of Puerto Rico within the next 24 hours. Corresponding AEPs are generally between 10 - 4%, suggesting significant stream rises possible. Given these factors, additional rainfall across this region will likely lead to flash, urban, small stream, and river flooding, some of which may be locally significant. Mudslides are also possible along areas of steep terrain. .Northwest... A series of atmospheric rivers bringing periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall to WA and OR may elicit isolated flooding impacts (including near burn scars) through mid next week. While current relative soil moisture values aren`t particularly high (50 - 65%) and anticipated lower snow levels (3500 - 4000`), this should initially mitigate any widespread flooding impacts. However, as soils become more saturated, the potential for flooding will likely increase, especially near recently burned locations. River rises and isolated river flooding are likely, as the latest RFC forecasts indicate isolated rises to action stage along rivers draining the western Cascades and isolated moderate flooding on the Skokomish River (WA). Flooding impacts will be largely determined by hourly rainfall rates. .Mariana Islands... A tropical disturbance is expected to move south of the islands this weekend, bringing heavy rainfall and localized flooding impacts to Guam and Rota on days 2 - 3 (Sun - Mon). .Southeast... Isolated areas of moderate to major river flooding are ongoing across southeast GA and the Lowcountry of SC in the wake of recent rainfall. Record flooding along the North Fork Edisto River at Orangeburg, SC and the Canoochee River near Claxton, GA has crested, and these areas are expected to slowly recede over the next several days. Elsewhere across the region, most locations are at or near crest and minimal rainfall over the next week should allow for unimpeded recessions. Slower draining rivers near the Southeast Coast will slowly rise next week as runoff from recent rainfall/flooding routes downstream. .Ozark Plateau (MO/AR)... Minor to major river flooding continues along the Black (AR), White (AR) and Meramec (MO) rivers in the wake of widespread heavy rainfall that occurred earlier this week. All locations along the Meramec River have either crested or are near crest and will slowly recede below flood stage over the next several days. Flooding along the Black and White rivers will persist well into next week. //JDP $$