|
|
Exactly how much rain falls will determine the magnitude of the flooding. However, AccuWeather.com forecasters anticipate only minor problems at this time, mostly of urban type and lowland, farm field area flooding.
Meanwhile, in the Northeast, a controlled thaw due to dry air and below-freezing temperatures at night through today, along with a now-expected weaker, colder storm during the middle of next week, will minimize flooding problems.
Similar to that of the central Plains, there can be flooding of some yards, farm fields and basements. Small streams may rise considerably, with modest rises expected on major rivers later next week.
Softening snow over the central Plains could be followed by the possibility of rain early this week, will lead to flooding in parts of Nebraska, Iowa, northern Kansas and northern Missouri. Expect small streams and intermediate rivers to near bank full next week as a result of the runoff.
Long-term
Concerns continue for the potential of more serious flooding over the northern Plains, the central Appalachians, New England and the Ohio Valley in coming weeks (and months) where snow cover and thawing ground are the major issues, forecasters said.
In some areas, there is currently up to 8 inches of water locked up in the snow cover!
A return of colder air during mid-March will translate to storms with more snow. An excessive snowfall in the spring is more prone to rapid meltdown due to the large temperature fluctuations that typically occur this time of the year.
There are also elevated concerns of flooding this spring on the southern Plains and in the Southeast due to expected above-average rainfall during the next couple of months falling on top of saturated ground.
Some communities are not taking the flooding threat lightly. Officials in Fargo, N.D., hit hard by flooding last spring, have already begun preparing and placing sand bags in anticipation of high Red River water levels.
Winters with excess snow have not always led to flooding.
However, it is the vast area with deep, moist snow cover and the continuation of the stormy pattern this spring that has AccuWeather.com meteorologists very concerned.
