Severe Weather Threats Across the Plains; Dangerous Heat and Wildfire Concerns for the West; Watching the Tropics

Severe thunderstorms are expected across the Central Plains accompanied by damaging wind gusts and large hail. In addition, heavy rainfall may lead to instances of flash flooding from the Plains and mid-Atlantic regions. The heavy rainfall threat continues across Florida and across the northern Gulf as we monitor a tropical disturbance tracking westward. Critical fire weather for the Great Basin. Read More >

The Mississippi River at La Crosse, WI experienced its longest duration flooding event in recorded history in 2019, despite the river not actually reaching a new record stage. Due to spring snow melt and several rounds of rain, the river remained above flood stage (12 feet) for over 40 days from late March through early May. The previous record was 30 days, set in 2001 between April 12th and May 11th. Some additional records can be found below.

Monthly Records:

Highest Monthly Average River Stage for Any Month: 13.65 feet in April 2019 (previous record was 12.96 feet in April 1965)
Highest April Average River Stage: 13.65 feet.
(previous record was 12.96 feet in 1965)
Highest May Average River Stage: 11.95 feet.
(previous record was 11.37 feet in 2001)

Yearly Records:

Most Days in a Year at 10 feet or Higher (Action Stage or No Wake Rules): 90 days, ending June 13 (previous record was 73 days in 1986)
Most Days in a Year at 12 feet (Minor Flood Stage) or Higher: 56 days as of June 13 (previous record was 30 days in 2001)
Most Days in a Year at 13 feet (Moderate Flood Stage) or Higher: 39 days as of June 13 (previous record was 27 days in 2001)

Consecutive Days Records:

Consecutive Days at 10 feet or Higher (Action Stage or No Wake Rules): 90 days, March 16–June 13 (previous record was 46 days, April 8–May 23, 1965)
Consecutive Days at 12 feet (Minor Flood Stage) or Higher: 41 days, March 26–May 5 (previous record was 30 days, April 12–May 11, 2001)
Also had another streak of 15 consecutive days (May 24-June 7, 2019) at 12 feet or higher (Flood Stage). This tied similar streaks in 2014 (June 23 to July 7) and 1951 (April 14-28) for the 8th longest stretch of days at or above flood stage.
3rd Longest Streak at 13 Feet (Moderate Flood Stage) or Higher: 19 days, March 28–April 15 (record is 27 days, April 13–May 9, 2001)

A trace of the river stage reading taken on the Mississippi River at La Crosse (Mar 9th-June 13th).

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Severe Weather Threats Across the Plains; Dangerous Heat and Wildfire Concerns for the West; Watching the Tropics

2019 Mississippi River Flooding at La Crosse - A Look at the Numbers