The National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois
issues a variety of products covering 35 counties in central and southeast Illinois.
These products are used by the media, emergency managers, and the public. The
products are accessed through a variety of methods, including the NOAA Weather Wire
Service (NWWS), Family of Services (FOS), the NWS AWIPS network, the Emergency Managers
Weather Information Network (EMWIN), and private vendors. This guide gives a summary
of the products, including necessary header information.
The listing is broken down into Severe Weather Products,
Non-Convective Hazardous Weather Products, Forecast Products, Hydrological Products,
Climate Products, and Miscellaneous
Products.
Severe Weather Products
Areal Redefining Statement
FOS/WMO Header: WWUS32 KCHI
AWIPS Header: CHISLSIL
(TO BE DISCONTINUED 2/22/2005)
The
Redefining Statement product, issued by the Chicago NWS
office, lists counties in Illinois that are affected by a Severe
Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch. This product is
scheduled to be phased out in February 2005, to be replaced by the Watch
County Notification message issued by individual NWS offices.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
FOS/WMO Header: FLUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIHWOILX
The
Hazardous Weather Outlook, issued twice daily (6 AM and 11 AM), highlights any expected hazardous
weather conditions over the next 7 days.
This includes, but is not limited to, severe weather, flooding, extreme
heat or cold, winter weather hazards, and dense fog.
Local Storm Report
FOS/WMO Header: NWUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHILSRILX
The
Local Storm Report product gives a detailed listing of observed severe weather across central and
southeast Illinois. It is often issued during a severe weather event,
a few reports at a time, but it is always
issued after an event has ended containing a summary
of all reports. Data listed should be considered preliminary, as
further investigation may be necessary in some cases.
This product is used as input to the national
Daily
Severe Weather Statistics compiled by the Storm Prediction Center.
Special Weather Statement
FOS/WMO Header: WWUS83 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHISPSILX
The
Special Weather Statement is primarily used to disseminate updated information
regarding the cancellation of severe weather watches (in the future, the Watch County
Notification product will be used for this purpose). This header also will be used
periodically for outlooks of potential upcoming storm systems that may impact central and
southeast Illinois.
Severe Weather Statement
FOS/WMO Header: WWUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHISVSILX
A Severe Weather Statement is used to disseminate follow-up information on severe
thunderstorm and tornado warnings. This can include actual severe weather reports,
current radar information, and towns expected to be in the path of the storms. This
statement is also used to cancel warnings, and to give follow-up information after a
warning has expired. In addition, it may be issued to alert the public to funnel
clouds which form in non-severe weather conditions, which are not expected to touch down.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WUUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHISVRILX
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
are issued for storms which are currently or expected to
produce either winds of 58 mph or more, hail 3/4 inch or greater diameter, or both.
These are issued for counties or portions of counties, and are typically an hour or less
in length.
Tornado Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WFUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHITORILX
Tornado Warnings are issued for expected tornadic activity over a county, or a portion of
a county. A warning may be issued based on Doppler radar indications of a tornado,
reports of a funnel cloud, or observed tornado sightings. Tornado Warnings are
typically valid for 45 minutes or less.
Watch County
Notification (Experimental)
FOS/WMO Header: WWUS63 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIWCNILX (to become
operational 2/8/2005)
The Watch County Notification product is currently considered
"experimental", but will be issued during actual severe weather events. During severe thunderstorm and tornado
watches, this product will be issued to indicate which counties are
included in the watch, which ones have been removed, or if an short
extension to a watch is being issued. During this time, the
Illinois Areal Redefining Statement (WWUS32 KCHI / CHISLSIL) and Special
Weather Statement (WWUS83 KILX / CHISPSILX) products will also be issued
to indicate the status of watches.
Non-Convective Hazardous Weather
Products
Non-Precipitation Weather Message
FOS/WMO Header: WWUS73 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHINPWILX
The
Non-Precipitation Weather Message is used to issue watches, advisories, warnings,
cancellations, or updates for various weather phenomena. These include: Dense
fog, high winds, excessive heat indices or wind chill, frost and freeze, and blowing dust.
This product is generally issued every 6 hours until the phenomena ends.
Winter Weather Message
FOS/WMO Header: WWUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIWSWILX
The
Winter Weather Message is used to issue watches, advisories, warnings, cancellations,
or updates for various winter weather phenomena.
It is generally issued every 6 hours until the phenomena ends.
Forecast Products
Area Forecast Discussion
FOS/WMO Header: FXUS63 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIAFDILX
The Area Forecast Discussion is issued routinely around
2:30 AM, 11 AM, 2:30 PM, and 9 PM, and at other times
as necessary. The forecaster gives his/her analysis of the current weather
situation, information on the computer models, and forecast reasoning. The
discussion includes a listing of non-convective watches, warnings and advisories that
will be in effect, on the line following ".ILX
WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...".
Coded Cities Forecast
FOS/WMO Header: FPUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHICCFILX
The Coded Cities Forecast is issued around 3:30 AM and 3:30 PM. It
contains coded forecasts of weather, temperature and precipitation chances for Peoria,
Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Mattoon, and Lawrenceville. The product is used as
input to the national
Selected Cities Summary, issued by the National Centers for
Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
Point
Forecast Matrix
FOS/WMO Header: FOUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIPFMILX
The
Point Forecast Matrix product is a tabular listing of expected weather
elements over the next several days, at specific cities in central and
southeast Illinois. It is similar to the Model
Output Statistics (MOS) guidance, but reflects forecaster input into the
process. Contents include expected temperature, dew point, humidity, wind, sky
condition, and precipitation chances and amounts in 3 hourly increments.
Short Term Forecast
FOS/WMO Header: FPUS73 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHINOWILX
The
Short Term Forecast is issued as needed. It covers the expected
weather conditions for up to 6 hours in advance. It is meant to give very detailed,
narrative information which expands on the basic foundations of the Zone Forecast.
In central and southeast Illinois, the following criteria are used as a basis for the
Short Term Forecast: 1) Watches, warnings and advisories are in effect; 2)
Precipitation, including beginning or ending times; 3) wind gusts of 30 mph or
higher, or winds causing reduced visibility due to blowing or drifting snow; 4)
hazardous wind chill values; 5) fog reducing visibility below a mile,
and 6) heat index values of 100 or higher.
Tabular
State Forecast
FOS/WMO Header: FPUS63 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHISFTIL
The Tabular
State Forecast is issued twice daily, around 4 AM and 4 PM. It
gives specific temperature forecasts for 26 locations in Illinois for
the next 7 days, as well as a one-word summary of the weather conditions
expected. Although issued by the Lincoln NWS, forecast information
is contributed by the Quad Cities, Chicago, St. Louis and Paducah NWS
offices for use in this product.
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
FOS/WMO Header: FTUS80 KWBC
AWIPS Headers: CHITAFCMI (Champaign), CHITAFDEC (Decatur), CHITAFPIA (Peoria),
CHITAFSPI (Springfield)
These coded messages, for aviation interests,
are issued routinely
4 times a day, at 0530, 1130, 1730 and 2330 UTC, and updated as necessary. The
forecasts contain information related to wind, visibility, weather hazards, and cloud
levels for a 24 hour period.
Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB)
FOS/WMO Header: FRUS31 KWBC
AWIPS Header: CHITWB215
This coded message, for general aviation interests, is
routinely issued 4 times daily at 0130, 0730, 1130 and 1930 UTC, and updated as necessary.
This forecast is specifically for TWEB route 215, which runs from Chicago to
Springfield to St. Louis. Information related to visibility, weather hazards, cloud
levels, and high winds is given for various intervals along the route, for a 12 hour
period.
Weather Summary
FOS/WMO Header: AWUS83 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIRWSILX
The
Weather Summary gives a brief overview of
the weather across central and southeast Illinois over the past 12
hours, and an outlook of expected
weather conditions over the Midwest the next couple of days.
Expected positions of weather systems, forecasts of precipitation, and
temperatures are included. The product is
targeted for media use, with release times designated to give weathercasters input for
their newscast. The product is issued 4 times a
day, around 5 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM and 9 PM.
Zone Forecast Product
FOS/WMO Header: FPUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIZFPILX
The Zone Forecast Product gives specific forecasts for out to 7 days in the 35
counties covered by the Lincoln NWS office. The product is routinely issued at 4 AM
and 3:30 PM, and updated as necessary. Forecasts are broken up into
"zones"; in Illinois, each county is a zone. When necessary, a forecast
section is headlined with a watch, warning or advisory for hazardous weather.
Hydrological Products
Daily River and Lake Summary
FOS/WMO Header: FGUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIRVDILX
This product gives
forecast river levels for the
Illinois River at Henry, Peoria, Peoria Lock and Dam, Havana, and Beardstown for the next
5 days. It is issued twice daily, typically around 10 AM and 9 PM.
Flash Flood Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WGUS53 KILX
AWIPS Header:
CHIFFWILX
The
Flash Flood Warning is issued when life-threatening, short-term flooding is imminent.
This can include flooding due to heavy rainfall or due to a dam break. Flash
Flood Warnings may be valid for up to 6 hours, and can be extended as necessary.
Flash Flood Statement
FOS/WMO Header: WGUS73 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIFFSILX
The
Flash Flood Statement is issued to update the status of short-term flash flood situations. It
can contain information on reported rainfall, radar estimates of rain, and forecast
amounts of rain in the future.
Flood Statement
FOS/WMO Header: WGUS83 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIFFSILX
The
Flood Statement product can be issued for a number of reasons: 1) Follow-up
information on Flood Warnings, either county-based or river-based;
or 2) Short-term
flooding which may cause an inconvenience, but is not considered to be threatening
(referred to in the past as "urban and small stream flooding"). When issued for river forecast purposes, they are issued twice
daily, usually between 10-11 AM and between 8-9 PM.
Flood Watch
FOS/WMO Header: WGUS63 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIFFAILX
The
Flood Watch is issued when heavy rainfall is forecast to
cause significant or widespread flooding. This is usually issued
at least 6 hours in advance of the expected event, and on occasion as
much as a day in advance. If the event is still a few days away, a
Hydrologic Outlook (FGUS73 KILX) may be issued instead, to give a
heads-up to the potential of heavy rainfall.
Flood Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WGUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIFLWILX
The
Flood Warning product is issued when river levels are expected to rise to potentially
damaging levels. Flood Warnings can also be used when overland flooding is expected
to persist for several hours, but rapid changes in flood levels are not expected.
Hydrologic Outlook
FOS/WMO Header: FGUS73 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIESFILX
The
Hydrologic Outlook is used to give an outlook of
possible flooding over the next few days, or to give advance notice of potential river
flooding when Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF) indicate the possibility of heavy
rain. In the late winter and early spring, this product gives information on the
possibility of flooding due to snowmelt and expected springtime precipitation.
Hydrologic Summary
FOS/WMO Header: SRUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIRVAILX
The
Hydrologic Summary product is issued daily at 8:35 AM. It
contains observed river levels and precipitation at selected stations along the following
rivers: Illinois, Mackinaw, Spoon, Sangamon, Wabash, Embarras, Vermilion, and Little
Wabash; Salt Creek; and lake levels at Lakes Decatur, Shelbyville and Springfield.
Hydrologic Statement
FOS/WMO Header: FGUS83 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIRVSILX
The
Hydrologic Statement is used to give information on significant, within-bank rises on
area rivers, but flood conditions are not expected.
Climate Products
Daily Climatological Summaries:
FOS/WMO Header: CDUS43 KILX
AWIPS Headers: CHICLIPIA (Peoria), CHICLISPI
(Springfield)
Climatological summaries for data collected at the
Greater Peoria Regional Airport, and
Springfield's Capital Airport, are issued twice daily
(12:30 AM CST/1:30 AM CDT, and 4:30 PM CST/CDT). These summaries contain information
on temperatures, degree days, precipitation, wind, climatological normals, and records.
Monthly Climatological Summaries:
FOS/WMO Header: CXUS53 KILX
AWIPS Headers: CHICLMPIA (Peoria), CHICLMSPI (Springfield)
Preliminary climatological summaries for the past month
are issued on the 1st of each month. The summaries include average temperature and
maximum observed values, degree days, precipitation, and comparisons to normal.
Record Report
FOS/WMO Header:
SXUS73 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIRERILX
The
Record Report is issued when record conditions have been observed from central and
southeast Illinois official observing sites.
Regional Temperature and Precipitation Table
FOS/WMO Header: ASUS63 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIRTPILX
The
Regional Temperature and Precipitation Table is issued several times daily: 12:15
AM CST (1:15 AM CDT), 6:15 AM CST (7:15 AM CDT), 8:30 AM CST/CDT, 4:30 PM CST/CDT, 6:15 PM
CST (7:15 PM CDT), and 8:30 PM CST/CDT. It contains basic climate information from
around central Illinois, either from airport observation sites or cooperative observers.
The data primarily consists of high and low temperatures, and measured
precipitation.
Miscellaneous Products
Administrative Message
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
(subject to future revision)
AWIPS Header: CHIADRILX
This message is used to provide follow-up information by the Illinois
Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) or local ESDA offices to
non-weather-related bulletins.
Child
Abduction Emergency
FOS/WMO Header:
WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHICAEILX
Child Abduction
Emergencies, also known as Amber Alerts, will be transmitted at the
request of the Illinois State Police for a child abduction anywhere in
Illinois.
Civil Emegency Message
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHICEMILX
Civil Emergency Messages are used to inform the public of a non-weather related, hazardous emergency.
The product is issued at the request of an official agency, such as local
government officials, county ESDA coordinators, or the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency (IEMA).
Civil Danger
Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHICDWILX
A Civil Danger Warning, transmitted at the request of the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency, is a message warning of an event
that presents a danger to a significant civilian population.
Examples include a contaminated water supply, and imminent or
in-progress military or terrorist attack.
Earthquake
Report
FOS/WMO Header: SEUS63 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIEQRILX
An
Earthquake Report is issued upon occurrence of an
earthquake across central or southeast Illinois of at least
Mercalli Intensity IV, or approximately magnitude 4.0 on the Richter
Scale (defined as:
if
during the day, is felt indoors by many, outdoors by few. At night some are
awakened. Dishes, windows, and doors disturbed; walls make creaking sounds. Sensation
like a heavy truck struck the building. Standing cars are rocked noticeably.)
The
information is relayed to the U.S. Geological Survey, who establishes
the official Richter Scale reading for the quake.
Earthquake Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIEQWILX
A warning of current or imminent earthquake activity.
Authorized officials (e.g. IEMA) may recommend or order protective
actions according to state law or local ordinance.
Fire Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIFRWILX
This message warns of a spreading wildfire or structural fire
that threatens a populated area. This product would be relayed at
the request of authorized issues (state government, ESDA, etc.)
Hazardous
Materials Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIHMWILX
This message is used to relay information from IEMA or local
ESDA officials of the release of a non-radioactive hazardous material,
such as a flammable or toxic gas, toxic chemical, or biological agent.
Evacuation or shelter-in-place information may be included.
Immediate
Evacuation Notice
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIEVIILX
This message, provided by IEMA or local ESDA personnel, is
used to help relay evacuation orders due to a local emergency.
Law
Enforcement Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHILEWILX
This message, from IEMA or local ESDA officials, is a warning
of a bomb explosion, riot, or other criminal activity. An
authorized law enforcement agency may blockade roads, waterways, or
facilities, evacuate or deny access to affected areas, and arrest
violators or suspicious persons.
Nuclear
Power Plant Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHINUWILX
This emergency message by IEMA will provide information on
incidents (Site Area Emergency or General Emergency) at nuclear power
plants. It may include information on evacuation or medical
treatment of people in the general area.
Public Information Statement
FOS/WMO Header: NOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIPNSILX
The
Public Information Statement is used for a variety of purposes. They include
notifications of NOAA Weather Radio failure, storm damage surveys,
severe weather safety rules, and media advisories.
Radar Outage Notification
FOS/WMO Header: NOUS63 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIFTMILX
This message is to inform NWS offices, vendors, and users
of WSR-88D data that the radar at Lincoln has experienced an outage (either planned or
unexpected). It includes reasons for the outage if known, expected outage time, and
a statement of which surrounding radars can be used for radar information in central and
southeast Illinois.
Radiological Hazard Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHIRHWILX
This message, relayed at the request of IEMA, provides
information on the loss, discovery, or release of a radiological hazard.
Examples include: theft of radioactive isotopes from medical facilities;
discovery of radioactive materials; transportation accidents involving
nuclear weapons or radioactive waste.
Shelter in Place Warning
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHISPWILX
This message, relayed at request of IEMA or local ESDA
personnel, warns of an event where the public is recommended to shelter
in place (go inside, close doors and windows, turn off air conditioning
or furnaces, and tune to local radio/TV).
911 Telephone Outage Emergency
FOS/WMO Header: WOUS43 KILX
AWIPS Header: CHITOEILX
This message relays information about a failure of 911
services to a particular area. It is relayed at the request of
local ESDA officials. |