2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FRIDAY... Critical fire weather conditions over the northeast plains will gradually ease into this evening. Strong winds will redevelop in the foothills overnight, with high winds spreading slowly east across the nearby adjacent plains west of I-25 through the afternoon. Extremely high wind gusts of 85-100 mph combined with humidities dropping into the 10-20 percent range will create potential for fast moving wildfires, should any new starts occur. Winds toward I-25 and eastward will be slower to develop, and also speeds will be considerably lighter. That said, gusts of 25-40 mph are still expected to combine with very low humidity and cured grasses to support critical fire weather conditions. Areas farther east into eastern Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, and Lincoln counties have more uncertainty if those winds even develop, so those locations remain under a Fire Weather Watch. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 239, 240, 241 and 243. * TIMING...From 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. * WINDS...West 20 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph or more immediately next to the foothills. Gusts closer to 40 mph along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a fast moving wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Hillsborough River
was last observed at
323
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
641
acre-ft of water today; about 58%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
559 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2017-09-15 when daily discharge volume was observed at
16,270 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Hillsborough R At Morris Br Near Thonotosassa Fl
reporting a streamflow rate of 134 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Hillsborough R Ab Crystal Spr Near Zephyrhills Fl
with a gauge stage of 52.32 ft.
This river is monitored from 5 different streamgauging stations along the Hillsborough River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 118 ft, the
Hillsborough R Ab Crystal Spr Near Zephyrhills Fl.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-18 |
| Discharge Volume | 641 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
323.0 cfs
-7.7 cfs (-2.33%) |
| Percent of Normal | 57.82% |
| Maximum |
16,270.0 cfs
2017-09-15 |
| Seasonal Avg | 559 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hillsborough R Ab Crystal Spr Near Zephyrhills Fl
USGS 02301990 |
19 cfs | 52.32 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Hillsborough R Bl Crystal Spr Near Zephyrhills Fl
USGS 02302010 |
83 cfs | 49.63 ft | -0.48 | |||||
|
Hillsborough River Near Zephyrhills Fl
USGS 02303000 |
87 cfs | 1.14 ft | -2.57 | |||||
|
Hillsborough R At Morris Br Near Thonotosassa Fl
USGS 02303330 |
134 cfs | 24.87 ft | -3.6 | |||||
|
Hillsborough River Near Tampa Fl
USGS 02304500 |
0 cfs | 21.8 ft | None |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Hillsborough River is a river located in the state of Florida in the United States. It arises in the Green Swamp near the juncture of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties, and flows 60 miles (97 km) through Pasco and Hillsborough Counties to an outlet in the city of Tampa on Tampa Bay. It includes 4 nature trails extending for over seven miles, making it perfect for hikers. The name Hillsborough River first appeared on a British map in 1769. At the time, the Earl of Hillsborough was the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, and thus controlled the pensions of the surveyors working in the American colonies, which included East Florida.