The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota said in an email to KROX today that the risk for a spring flood in the Red River Valley is still low, even after the snow storms in January and February. Some of the information they passed along is below –
Key Points
- Snowpack is now slightly above normal due to recent winter storms (less than half of 1996-1997 winter to date) while snow water content is near normal (less than half of 1996-1997 winter to date).
- Base streamflow and soil moisture slightly below normal across northern portions of the basin while near to slightly above normal in the south.
- Risk for significant snowmelt flooding is still fairly low, with minor to low-end moderate flooding still the predominant risk (at this time).
- Much still depends on precipitation/snowfall the remainder of the winter and into spring, as well as the melt progression.
Key Snowmelt Flood Components
- Base Streamflow
- Soil Moisture (at freeze-up)
- Frost Depth (35+ inches as of February 4 – near normal)
- Winter snowpack/SWE
- Future precipitation/snowfall
- Thaw cycle
