May 24, 2024 |
Photo - River Flood Factor table - Courtesy NWS
The National Weather Service says late season snowfall in the mountains means that flooding can’t be ruled out.
The Cheyenne branch of the National Weather Service is having a series of weekly meetings to discuss the possibility of flooding across the state.
During yesterday’s online meeting, Senior Service Hydrologist Tony Anderson said that his National Water Prediction maps show that Saratoga has a 50% chance of experiencing a minor flood this spring or summer. Anderson said the North Platte River near Encampment and Sinclair is half as likely to flood.
Anderson said flooding on the North Platte River isn’t entirely dependent on the amount of snowpack in the Snowy Range. The National Weather Service hydrologist said high temperatures and spring rain are important factors to consider when predicting floods.
Anderson said the snowpack in the North Platte Basin is at 126% of normal. The hydrologist said late season snowfall is matching the spring melt. Low nighttime temperatures are also contributing to the higher-than-average snow totals, said Anderson.
Anderson said high forecasted temperatures are causing him to pay more attention to the North Platte Basin. As the days grow hotter, the chance of flooding increases. Mountain rain also contributes to flooding, said Anderson.
Moving away from the North Platte River, Anderson said the Little Snake River isn’t expected to rise. However, Anderson said he can’t entirely rule out future flooding.
The Cheyenne National Weather Service will continue to hold weekly flood meetings until June 13th. Bigfoot99 will monitor the situation and report on any potential flooding in Carbon County.
