Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) is
the total rain that is forecast to fall within the time period.
The times on the maps below are based on Greenwich time.
(aka Zulu, Z, or UTC) (see below)

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.

See also: Weather Prediction Center Interactive QPF page.
See also: NOAA QPF page.
See also: NOAA 24-hr QPF by Percentile.
See also: NOAA National Water Model Map.

Day 1 - 24-hour Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   Day 1 US QPF

Zulu Time Info


Day 2 - 24-hour Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   Day 2 US QPF

Zulu Time Info


Day 3 - 24-hour Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   Day 3 US QPF

Zulu Time Info


Days 4-5 - 48-hour Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   Days 4-5 US QPF

Zulu Time Info


Days 6-7 - 48-hour Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   Days 6-7 US QPF

Zulu Time Info





Multi-Day Cumulative Quantitative Precipitation Forecast

24-hour (1 Day) Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   US 1 Day QPF

Zulu Time Info

48-hour (2 Day) Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   US 2 Day QPF

Zulu Time Info

72-hour (3 Day) Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   US 3 Day QPF

Zulu Time Info

120-hour (5 Day) Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   US 5 Day QPF

Zulu Time Info

168-hour (7 Day) Cumulative Forecast Rainfall (QPF)
   US 7 Day QPF

Zulu Time Info


    NWS Weather Prediction Center QPF source NWS Weather Prediction Center QPF sources About QPF products

-- Credits --

Images' source: National Weather Service

Page Managed by:

Hydrology Section
Contra Costa County Flood Control
  and Water Conservation District
255 Glacier Drive
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 313-2000
floodcontrol @ pw.cccounty.us


Standard Time (Fall/Winter) - Subtract 8 hours from the UTC time (00Z = 4:00PM PST day before and 12Z = 4:00AM PST same day)

Daylight Savings Time (Spring/Summer) - Subtract 7 hours from the UTC time (00Z = 5:00PM PST day before and 12Z = 5:00AM PST same day).

Reading Time for the QPF Maps ( top)

Please note the date and time for which the maps are valid (see text in lower left corner text block on maps).

The notation "12Z" means "12:00 Zulu Time" or noon Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and "00Z" means "00:00 Zulu Time" or midnight GMT. Zulu time is also called "Universal Time Coordinated" (UTC), which is also the same as GMT.

For the Bay Area:

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.

Standard Time (Fall/Winter): Subtract 8 hours from the UTC time 00Z = 4:00PM PST day before and 12Z = 4:00AM PST same day

Daylight Savings Time (Spring/Summer):* Subtract 7 hours from the UTC time 00Z = 5:00PM PST day before and 12Z = 5:00AM PST same day. A conversion table for the Zulu or UTC can be found at Zulu Time Table.

* Note: In 2007, Daylight Savings time started and ended a month earlier.