Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF)

RESOURCE DESCRIPTION

Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF) provide precipitation forecasts and maps for the US. They predict the amount of liquid precipitation expected to fall in a given time period. The cumulative precipitation for several time periods is reported. Precipitation totals for consecutive 6-hour periods out to 7 days are refreshed every 6 hours. The following precipitation totals are also available and refreshed every 6 hours: 12-hour periods, out to 3 days; consecutive 24-hour periods, out to 3 days; and consecutive 48-hour periods, out to 7 days. Additionally, precipitation totals are provided for days 1-3, days 1-5, and days 1-7, and they are refreshed every 12 hours. For snow or ice amounts, QPF predictions specify the amount of liquid that will be measured after the snow or ice melts. Several weather forecast models feed QPF, including GFS, SREF, UKMET, and WRF. QPF outputs feed downstream weather forecasts, such as NHC Forecasts, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD).

BROAD DATA CATEGORIES

• Weather

SPECIFIC DATA ELEMENTS

• Hurricane
• Earthquake
• Flood
• Nuclear detonation

DEMOGRAPHICS INCLUDED

• None

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

Continental US (CONUS)