Ranking Flash Flood Warnings: a Better Way to Relate Threat to the Public

Abstract

The National Weather Service is responsible for issuing flash flood warnings for the United States and its Territories. For the last half of the 20`h century, the warning program has used a flash flood watch/warning system similar to the tornado and severe thunderstorm watch/warning system. In this system, a watch is posted several hours in advance of an approaching weather system that is expected to cause the weather hazard. When the hazard begins or is about to begin, a warning is issued to alert the general population that action is now required to protect life and property [I]. This system was established during an era when communications and computer systems were in their infancy. Today with Doppler radar, satellite communications, and modern computers, should the National Weather Service look at the watch/warning system to see if it can he improved, especially in regards to flash flood warnings?