Spring Flood Outlook for Northeast MN and Northwest WI

Scattered Severe Thunderstorms Across the Northern Plains; Fire Weather Concerns in the Western U.S.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast across central and eastern North Dakota, as well as far northwest Minnesota Saturday (Slight Risk level 2 of 5). Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will persist through the weekend across the Western U.S. Isolated dry thunderstorms could lead to new fire starts over portions of the northern Rockies. Read More >

Spring Flood Outlook Update (March 1, 2024)

Spring Flooding potential across the Northland is below normal based on a historically low amount of water in the snowpack.

Precipitation through early spring will be one of the most important flood risk factors. This outlook does not take into account the risk of flash flooding.

Deep frost could lead to poor infiltration and efficient runoff if heavy rains fall while the ground is still frozen.

Current Spring Flood Threat Checklist

Threat	Impact to Potential Spring Flooding	Links
High River Levels	Normal to Below Normal Streamflow	USGS WaterWatch MN WI
High Soil Moisture	Normal to Below Normal	CPC Soil Moisture
Winter Precipitation	Normal to Below Normal	Climate Prediction Center 6 to 10 Day 8 - 14 Day
Current Snowpack/Liquid Equivalent	Far Below Normal, Historically Low	Current Snow Water Equivalent Analysis Snow Water Equivalent Ranking
Rate of Snowmelt	Low. Little to no snow left to melt.	24, 48, & 72 hr Snowmelt
Frost Depth	Higher	Frost Depth Map
Spring Precipitation	TBD	Point Forecast (Next 7 Days) Precip Outlook (Upcoming Weeks)

Threat

Impact to Potential Spring Flooding

Links

High River Levels

Normal to Below Normal Streamflow

USGS WaterWatch MN WI

High Soil Moisture

Normal to Below Normal

CPC Soil Moisture

Winter Precipitation

Normal to Below Normal

Climate Prediction Center

6 to 10 Day 8 - 14 Day

Current Snowpack/Liquid Equivalent

Far Below Normal, Historically Low

Current Snow Water Equivalent Analysis

Snow Water Equivalent Ranking

Rate of Snowmelt

Low. Little to no snow left to melt.

24, 48, & 72 hr Snowmelt

Frost Depth

Higher

Frost Depth Map

Spring Precipitation

TBD

Point Forecast (Next 7 Days)

Precip Outlook (Upcoming Weeks)

For more details, please see the full briefing PDF:

Scattered Severe Thunderstorms Across the Northern Plains; Fire Weather Concerns in the Western U.S.

Spring Flood Outlook for Northeast MN and Northwest WI

Spring Flood Outlook Update (March 1, 2024)

Current Spring Flood Threat Checklist