A spring flood outlook recently released from the National Weather Service predicts a risk for river flooding for the Raccoon Valley Radio-listening area.

The first of two spring flood outlooks says the risk of minor, moderate, and major river flooding is generally above normal at all locations according to the NWS Des Moines Office. The outlook’s data is calculated using spring season scenarios from over 30 years of climatological data, as well as looking at current river conditions, snow cover and soil moisture, and a 30-90 day temperature and precipitation outlook. As of February 20th, the snowpack is above normal across the NWS Des Moines service area, soil moisture is above to near record amounts, and streamflows range from near to much above normal.

While residents may desire warmer temperatures and snow to melt away, Senior Hydrologist Jeff Zogg with the NWS Des Moines Office is wary of how snow melt can affect river levels, “The assessment of flood risk assumes there are normal conditions going forward. So if we have say above-normal precipitation, that’ll increase the flood risk even higher and also we’ll have to watch and see how that snow melts. If it melts rapidly that increases the risk, if it melts more slowly that tends to decrease the risk.”

The second and final spring flood outlook will be issued March 7th. To read the first outlook report, click here.