NOAA has released their annual spring outlook: and it look’s Iowa has a much better year in store. Temperatures across the region are anticipated to be above normal for much of the spring season, drought improvement, and even a bit of flooding.

Snowstorms during the past month have contributed to above median precipitation across the upper Mississippi Valley. According to the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center on March 20, snow-water equivalent values exceed 5 inches across much of this region. It should be noted that is unclear how much of the spring runoff can recharge the dry subsoils. Due to wetness during the past month and a relatively wet time of year for AMJ, improvement is forecast for the upper Mississippi Valley. Prospects for improvement are highest across Wisconsin where drought levels are less intense and the seasonal outlook favors above median precipitation.
Forecast confidence for the upper Mississippi Valley is high.

And of course, there are always areas to watch. Due to recent snow events, a potential for exceeding minor and moderate river flood levels exists in the Upper Mississippi River basin, including southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northern Missouri. Tributaries in the plains of the upper Missouri River basin, specifically the Milk River in eastern Montana, the Big Sioux River in South Dakota, and the Little Sioux River in Iowa, may also experience minor to moderate flooding. With significant frozen ground in these areas, the flood risk is highly dependent on the amount of future rainfall and the rate of snowmelt this spring.

Potential for exceeding minor river flood levels exists in the middle Mississippi, the smaller tributary streams in the lower Missouri basin, and the Ohio River basin in spring of 2013. This would include portions of Kansas, Missouri, eastern Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Recent snow and rain events have already produced flooding in this area and the threat for more flooding due to springtime precipitation will continue.  This is normal for this region.

Courtesy NOAA