Storm Impacting the Northwest U.S.; Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California; Severe Weather in the South

A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. Read More >

Every year NWS Louisville does routine hydrology surveys to check river gauge equipment and USGS or flood reference marks at river gauges across central Kentucky and southern Indiana. Up until now, we've done these on foot documenting what we can see at ground level.

Pictured below is the river gauge at South Fork Licking River at Cynthiana, KY.

Last week, the first routine hydrology survey using drones gave a unique bird's eye view of the river gauge as well as the area along the river upstream and downstream of the gauge. This survey information at regular river levels is helpful in documenting what areas could be impacted along the river when flood waters rise. These "impacts" are inserted directly into NWS River Flood Warnings.

The video below shows the river gauge at South Fork Licking River at Cynthiana, KY as well as the area upstream and downstream of the gauge.