Initial Wyoming Spring 2016 Snowmelt Flood Potential Outlook---February

Quick Synopsis:

Mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents (SWEs) across central to north central Wyoming were generally below average by late February; while SWEs across southern Wyoming basins were generally near average to slightly above average. SWEs at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations (8,000’ – 9.500’) were the highest across the Laramie and Lower Green Basins at 100 to 105 percent of median. The Tongue and Powder River Drainages had SWEs at 60 to 75 percent of median at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations.

This outlook is based on various diverse hydrological factors such as snow water equivalents (SWEs) in the mountain snowpack, basin morphology (i.e. how basins respond to snowmelt runoff), antecedent soil moisture, amount of bark beetle kill, low elevation snow depths, and likely temperature and precipitation trends during late spring/early summer.

HIGHLIGHTS:

…Moderate potential for flooding associated with snowmelt is expected across lower portions the Upper North Platte and Laramie Watersheds…

…All other of headwater basins across Wyoming can expect a generally Low potential for flooding due to springtime snowmelt...

The next outlook will be issued around the 20^th of March.

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Other hydrological information for Wyoming can be found at the NOAA hydrology website:

https://www.weather.gov/riw/local_hydrology

Monthly Wyoming Hydrologic Summary and Graphics:

(updated monthly around the 15^th of every month)

https://www.weather.gov/media/riw/hydro/hydro_report.pdf

Wyoming Drought Information Page:

(updated at least once a month)

https://www.weather.gov/riw/drought

Wyoming Graphical Water Supply Outlook:

(updated by the 10^th of every month—January-June)

https://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/watersupply.png

Wyoming Average Precipitation by Basin:

(updated monthly)

https://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/wyomingprecip.png

Wyoming Spring Snowmelt Runoff Flood Potential Graphic:

(updated around the 20^th of the month---February-May)

https://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/floodoutlook.png

Current and Forecast Wyoming Streamflows and/or River Stages:

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=RIW

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=CYS

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wy/nwis/rt

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The current Wyoming Spring 2016 Snowmelt Runoff Flood Potential Outlook graphic: