National Weather Service issues Spring Flood Outlook

The National Weather Service has issued their Spring Flood Outlook for southern Wisconsin and all areas are reporting below average risks for flooding.

The outlook is based on factors such as below average snowpack, near to below average soil moisture, and near average streamflow.

The outlook points out frost depth is near to above average and there is extensive river ice, which elevates the flood risk somewhat.

The weather service says these conditions can and often change, adding a deeper snow pack could increase the risk.

The flood risk outlook pertains to the underlying risk for the mid February to the mid May time period as a whole. The risk may be higher with individual weather events such as river ice jams, or a rapid snowmelt with warm weather along with a widespread rain event, especially while the ground is still frozen.