Forecasters say spring rains, melting snow threaten widespread flooding

WASHINGTON -- Government forecasters said Thursday that the floods washing over large parts of the Midwest are just a taste of things to come, with one meteorologist complaining about a jet stream "on steroids."

Record rainfall and melting snow packs will continue to cause rivers to overflow in large areas of the country, the National Weather Service said.

The greatest flooding danger includes much of the Mississippi River basin, the Ohio River basin, the lower Missouri River basin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, most of New York, all of New England and portions of the West, including Colorado and Idaho.

"Overall moisture is unprecedented for this time of year over an area that extends over 1,000 miles," said Doug LeComte, a meteorologist at the government's Climate Prediction Center.

Joanna Dionne, a meteorologist at the weather service's Hydrologic Services section, added that "all the ingredients are there for flooding in this broad area and up into the northeast."

"American citizens should be on high alert to flood conditions in your communities. Arm yourselves with information about how to stay safe during a flood and do not attempt to drive on flooded roadways," said Vickie Nadolski, deputy director of the weather service.

Heavy rains have dumped as much as a foot of rain in the Midwest this week, leaving behind more than a dozen deaths. Rivers were cresting above flood stage in Ohio and flooding also was reported in parts of Arkansas, Southern Illinois, southern Indiana, Missouri and Kentucky.

On Thursday morning, high water closed the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 -- a major east-west highway -- for about 4 miles in central Ohio's Licking County, the State Highway Patrol said. Cincinnati picked up 4.7 inches of rain and then traces of snow on Wednesday.

LeComte noted that a La Nina, an unusual cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean has been underway and that often leads to wetter conditions in the U.S. Midwest.

However, he added, "what's happened in the last few months has not been a typical La Nina, the jet stream's been on steroids."

The forecast models differ on whether it will continue into summer, he said. "We'll have to wait and see."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said more than 250 communities in a dozen states are experiencing flood conditions this week.

The spring flood forecast said:

• Heavy winter snow combined with recent rain indicates parts of Wisconsin and Illinois should see minor to moderate flooding, with as much as a 20 to 30 percent chance of major flooding on some rivers in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
• Current snow depth in some areas of upstate New York and New England is more than a foot greater than usual for this time of the year, which increases flood potential in the Connecticut River Valley.
• Locations in the mountains of Colorado and Idaho have 150 to 200 percent of average water contained in a snow pack, leading to an above-normal flood potential.

While snowfall has been normal or above normal across most of the West this winter, dryness in many areas will prevent most flooding in this region. Runoff from snow pack is expected to significantly improve stream flows compared to last year for the West.

The spring forecast also looks at drought conditions and LeComte noted that while there has been some recovery dryness continues to affect large areas of the Southeast.

Lake Lanier in Georgia, for example, has come up four or five feet, he said, but is still 12 to 14 feet below where it should be at this time of year.

Dryness is also expected to continue in Florida, at least until summer thunderstorm season.

"Overall, the Southeast had near-average rainfall during the winter with some areas wetter than average. Nevertheless, lingering water supply concerns and water restrictions continue in parts of the region," the forecast said.

The forecast called for the drought to continue in parts of the southern Plains despite some recent heavy rain.

"Parts of Texas received less than 25 percent of normal rainfall in the winter, leading 165 counties to enact burn bans by mid-March. Seasonal forecasts for warmth and dryness suggest drought will expand northward and westward this spring," the forecast said.

On the Net

NOAA: www.noaa.gov

National Weather Service: www.nws.noaa.gov

Flood Safety Awareness: www.floodsafety.noaa.gov