National Weather Service Warns Of Spring Flooding To Come

The National Weather Service says Wisconsin should expect flooding this spring due to deep snow, but can’t yet predict how severe the flooding will be.

Weather Service Senior Hydrologist Steve Buan says he expects a higher than average flood risk across Wisconsin. While a number of factors play into the predictions, Buan says this year snow is topping the list.

“I think we’ll see some flooding regardless. I think there is enough snow out there and enough conditions that we will see some floods,” Buan said. “Now, the severity level will be dictated by that factor of how rapidly it melts and if we inject more moisture into the equation with rainfall.”

Buan says all it would take to create dangerous situations in Wisconsin is a warm week or a heavy, prolonged rain. One need look no further than Illinois to see what he means. Last week, nearly three inches of rain fell there, causing ice jams and severe flooding.

“We can just kind of translate that northward a little bit,” Buan said. “If we get transition period there with rain and warm temperatures, we really could begin the risk for some serious flooding,” Buan said.

But Buan says storms like the one that hit Illinois are rare.

“Those things don’t happen very often but those are the things … we’ve got to be looking for,” Buan said.

The weather service is scheduled to release another spring flood outlook on Thursday.