NWS Wakefield, VA Statements Information Page

Special Weather Statements-

These statements describe a wide variety of weather elements that occur generally for 6 or more hours:

• Strong or severe thunderstorms are expected to develop within 12 hours
• Strong thunderstorms, approaching severe limits, are affecting a particular area
• A strong winter-type storm approaching with multiple effects such as strong wind and heavy precipitation
• Provide localized information when prolonged significant weather is expected or occurring on land
• Winter Storm Watch/Warning
• High Wind Watch/Warning or Wind Advisory
• Dense Fog Advisory

Severe Weather Statements-

These statements are issued when short-term warnings are in effect, providing updated information on the status of warnings, and also can include recent severe weather reports.

• Specific information about current Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Tornado Warnings and Special Marine Warnings
• Location and movement of thunderstorms and severe weather
• Predominant type or types of severe weather expected, including hail, damaging winds or tornadoes
• The most recent hail size, wind damage and tornado reports

Flash Flood Statements-

These statements are issued when a Flash Flood Watch or Warning is in effect, or when minor, urban type flooding is occurring. These statements describe:

• Where and when to expect flash flooding, if a Flash Flood Watch is in effect
• Status of a Flash Flood Warning and estimate of when flash flooding will end
• Reports of flash flooding

Flood Statements-

These statements are issued when a Flood Watch or Warning is in effect, when minor urban flooding is occurring, or when a major river is above flood stage. These statements describe:

• Where and when to expect flooding if a Flood Watch is in effect
• Status of a Flood Warning and estimate of when flooding will end
• Reports of flooding
• Water levels and forecasts for major rivers that are above flood stage:
• Rivanna River
• James River
• Appomattox River
• Nottoway River
• Meherrin River

River Statements

Daily River Stage Forecasts

• Summary of precipitation that has fallen in river basins during the past 24 hours
• Forecast precipitation amounts in river basins for the next 24 hours
• Current river levels and trends (rising or falling, when and if rivers will reach flood stage, or fall below flood stage)

Flood Outlook

This statement describes the long-term flood outlook for river flooding. "Long-term" can be several days, if a significant storm is approaching, or can be up to 2 weeks, when no well-defined storms are forecasted. Routine flood outlooks, issued every 2 weeks, include and are based on:

• Current River Flooding - Includes general overview of river levels
• Recent Precipitation - Broad overview, comparing to normal precipitation, and includes references to the Palmer Drought Severity Index
• Soil Moisture Conditions
• River Ice Conditions
• Streamflow Conditions - Comparison to normal
• Reservoir Conditions - Comparison to normal
• Future Weather Conditions - General forecast of precipitation and temperatures in comparison to normal, and includes a general description of large-scale weather features

Updated flood outlooks are issued when significant storms increase the threat of flooding and concentrate on forecasts of precipitation and river response.

Marine Weather Statements-

This is the marine equivalent of a Special Weather Statement. If marine conditions are significantly different than the current Coastal Waters Forecast, then these conditions are described in a Marine Weather Statement.

• Heavy Surf Advisory
• Rip currents
• Localized Minor Coastal Flooding
• Brief surge of winds (3 hours or less) or waves/seas that reach Small Craft Advisory Criteria, Gale Force or Storm Force, when not forecasted.
• Small Craft Advisory Criteria is sustained 20 knots in the Chesapeake Bay, and sustained 25 knots in the Atlantic waters, or 5 foot waves in the Chesapeake Bay and 6 foot seas in the Atlantic waters
• Gale Warning Criteria is sustained 35 knots or greater
• Storm Warning Criteria is sustained 48 knots or greater

Coastal Flood Statements-

These statements are issued routinely when a Coastal Flood Watch or Coastal Flood Warning is issued. A Coastal Flood Statement describes:

• Specific areas of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast affected by Coastal Flood Watches and Warnings
• Weather conditions causing the coastal flood threat
• Times of high tide and forecasted tidal departures for locations affected by Coastal Flood Watches and Warnings
• Forecasted maximum water levels in Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) for locations affected by Coastal Flood Watches and Warnings
• Specific sections of counties, towns and cities most prone to flooding
• Reports of flooding and/or damage

Hurricane Local Statements-

These statements are issued when a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch or Warning is in effect. They are issued every time a new public update is received from the National Hurricane Center. A Hurricane Local Statement provides local information and forecasts, based on the guidance received from the National Hurricane Center. Information within a Hurricane Local Statement includes:

• Areas under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch or Warning
• The current storm statistics such as maximum winds, movement and minimum pressure
• Forecast track through 72 hours
• When and where hurricane effects will be felt
• Forecast winds for various locations
• Forecast storm surge and tidal information along coastal areas
• Forecast rainfall and flood potential for inland areas
• Forecast tornado potential
• The latest local conditions and damage during tropical storm or hurricane conditions
• Evacuation information

Public Information Statement

These statements provide general information about a wide variety of weather elements. The main intent of a Public Information Statement is to educate the public on a certain topic related to weather. Some topics include:

• Precautions to be taken during Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches and Warnings
• Descriptions of unusual weather phenomena or very rare events that have occurred
• Description of a significant weather event after a storm has ended

Send comments and suggestions to: Neil Stuart