When planning stream gaging and sampling runs, we find the following links useful for tracking winter storms. We draw as well on other websites specific to individual counties or regions.
Balance staff have monitored and sampled flows during storms throughout California and in six other western states, often focusing on:
streamflow gaging
bedload- and suspended-sediment transport
scour-and-fill, or channel depths and bed conditions during passage of floods
nutrient and pesticide transport from fields and turfed areas, and in the streams which drain the watersheds in which they occur
organic, trace-metal or radionuclide constituents
We commonly assist or train state and local agencies and observers from community groups to help them safely achieve their goals. We conduct storm monitoring using approved protocols and follow a duty schedule, mobilizing qualified and suitably-equipped staff when storms occur. We strongly support the use of storm-safety programs and practices, including those reviewed and approved by the EPA.
Forecast Discussion for SF Bay Area and Central Coastal California -
We find this National Weather Service forecast discussion especially useful and is one of the first sites we check when tracking approaching storms, or simply for a daily synopsis of weather conditions. It appears to be written for meteorologists and uses quite a bit of jargon and abbreviations, and commonly centers the forecast discussion on comparing results of particular numerical model runs. However once accustomed to the format, it's priceless.
Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF) -
In addition to the forecast discussion (above), this National Weather Service page is the other forecast site most commonly used by Balance staff when monitoring approaching storms. We especially like the 1 to 3 day graphical format. It presents a progressive series of maps displaying forecasted amounts of rainfall across the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Coast of California from Sonoma County to Monterey County, inclusive.
Forecast for San Francisco -
The National Weather Service also offers forecasts by city or zip code.
Regional Weather Radar Loop -
This site graphically shows rainfall, snowfall, and mixed precipitation across northern and central California, and most of Nevada. To view other regions, select from the pull-down list in the lower left corner of the page. Use satellite imagery (below) to view approaching storms still over the ocean.
Satellite Imagery -
We use two sources for satellite imagery: (1) the Naval Research Laboratory and (2) the National Weather Service. We find the infrared red and water vapor image loops most useful. To get to the loop at the NRL site, click the 'animate' button at the top of the page once you have selected an image. For hour-by-hour images of the past 12 hours of a storm, we find the Unisys Satellite site most helpful.Airport Station Observations - The following sites show current conditions and hourly data for the preceding 24 hours at selected National Weather Service airport stations along coastal California.
Wind Patterns for San Francisco -
Current wind speed and direction are mapped as vector arrows across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Rainfall Maps -
The Department of Water Resources presents rainfall totals during the past 24 hours at mapped stations across California. Data from specific stations can be acquired at the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) Bulk Data Selector.
USGS Real-Time Streamflow Data -
US Geological Survey gaging data for the past 31 days at stations across California are found here on their 'real-time data' site. If you hover over a mapped station symbol, the current gaging information will appear in a yellow box. To view a chart, tap on the station symbol. More data are available in the pull-down menus in the upper right corner of the page.
DWR Forecasts and Summaries -
The California Department of Water Resources has provided a useful organization of links to National Weather Service Area Forecasts.
National Climatic Data Center -
This is the home page for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climatic data center, which is part of National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS). NESDIS home page is accessible by the link at the top of this page.
Interactive Weather Information Page -
This site has all sorts of fun weather information to be explored.
California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) -
Reference evapotranspiration data for stations across California are accessible at this site, among other useful information.
NOS Water Level Observation Network -
Tide levels at San Francisco, CA, station 9414290.
California Hydrometeorological Networks -
An online portal to the numerous gages available online
