According to NOAA’s National Weather Service, recent flooding in America’s heartland is a good indicator of what’s to come throughout the spring season. Record rainfall in some states and melting snowpack in others are causing rivers and streams to crest their banks, and that’s only going to continue.
The Ohio, Mississippi, and the lower Missouri river basins, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, most of New York, all of New England, and western states like Colorado and Idaho have above-normal flood potential. Preexisting dryness in many western regions will likely prevent most of the flood potential; however, western runoff is expected to significantly increase from last year’s levels.
While many areas see flooding, still others will contend with drought. The southern plains drought is expected to continue despite heavy rainfall, though conditions in the southeast have shown a general improvement.
To view the news story from NOAA announcing this forecast, visit http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080320_springoutlook.html.