F2P2 is short for UDFCD’s Flash Flood Prediction Program. The program operates from April through September providing daily heavy rain forecasts and early flood threat notifications to affected local governments. The F2P2 has served the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area continuously since 1979.
F2P2 DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES
Current and Archived Products
The UDFCD forecast products described below are designed to identify potential and imminent flood threats affecting the District. They are prepared by a private meteorological service. The F2P2 operates from April 15 through September 30 and has been serving the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area continuously since 1979.
HPO – Heavy Precipitation Outlook
Beginning on May 1, this daily text product is available by 11 AM. The HPO provides a rain forecast for the District describing where storms are most likely. When the potential for flooding exists, this product is renamed Internal Message Status or IMS and will note the Message status for each District county (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson).
QPF – Quantitative Precipitation Forecast
This text product is only available on days when the one-hour rainfall potential exceeds 1.5 inches. The QPF contains more basin-specific information than the HPO and requires some knowledge of the regional major drainage basins, streams and associated flood hazards. Expected rainfall totals, storm duration, peak intensities and probabilities of occurrence are provided.
ST – Storm Track
This combination map/text product is a short-lead forecast showing where a storm has formed or is forming, the approximate size of the storm, the direction (or track) of the storm, and the estimated arrival times at points along the forecast track. This may be the most anticipated product of the F2P2, but keep in mind that it is only available within an hour or less of storm impact. Also, the ST is not prepared for storms that do not pose a flood threat.
Messages
Standard messages are issued to warning points in each of the seven District counties. Dispatchers disseminate the information according to standard operating procedures unique to each jurisdiction.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Weather Story
Weather Forecast Office
River Forecast Center
Storm Prediction Center
Weather Prediction Center
National Water Center
OTHER SOURCES
Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin
NCAR RAP Real-Time Weather Data
Intellicast Interactive Map
INFORMATION
Meteorological support services provided by Skyview Weather