The snow cover in north and midwest looks more like the one in year 2011 and 209.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/hic/nho/
National Hydrologic Assessment
March 21, 2013
"Based on the above normal amount of water in the current snowpack and seasonal forecasts of continued above normal precipitation, a potential for exceeding moderate and major river flood levels exists for the Red River of the North, which forms the state line between eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, and the Souris River in North Dakota for Spring 2013. These areas experienced major to record flooding two years ago in the spring of 2011.
Devils Lake and Stump Lake are located within a closed basin in northeast North Dakota. The basin has experienced flooding since the 1990's, rising over 30 feet, which has destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses and inundated thousands of acres of productive farmland. Last year, these lakes dropped nearly 3 feet from their 2011 record height. Currently the lakes are at an elevation of 1451.5 feet MSL (3/16/13) and due to an above normal topsoil wetness and above normal snowpack they have a 50% chance of rising approximately 2 feet. The immediate impact of a 1.5 to 2.5 foot rise is the loss in ground recovered over the past two years, including 25,000 acres of farmland and numerous miles of roadway and farm access roads.
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.
Recent rain events, above normal river levels, and forecasts for continued above normal precipitation create the risk for exceeding minor flood levels during spring in the lower Mississippi River basin and in the Southeast. This includes portions of Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia.
The flood potential from snowmelt and ice jams throughout Alaska this spring is currently rated as near normal. This forecast is based on current ice thickness, observed snowpack, and long range weather forecasts.
Heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding, even in areas where overall risk is considered low. The latest information for your specific area, including official watches and warnings should be obtained at: http://water.weather.gov
Current water supply forecasts and outlooks in the western United States range from near normal in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, to much below normal in the Central and Southern Rockies, and in California.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding
The information presented in this report focuses on spring flood potential, using evaluation methods analyzed on the timescale of weeks to months, not days. Heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding, even in areas where overall risk is considered low. Rainfall intensity and location can only be accurately forecasted for days in the future, therefore flood risk can change rapidly. "
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/hic/nho/
National Hydrologic Assessment
March 21, 2013
"Based on the above normal amount of water in the current snowpack and seasonal forecasts of continued above normal precipitation, a potential for exceeding moderate and major river flood levels exists for the Red River of the North, which forms the state line between eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, and the Souris River in North Dakota for Spring 2013. These areas experienced major to record flooding two years ago in the spring of 2011.
Devils Lake and Stump Lake are located within a closed basin in northeast North Dakota. The basin has experienced flooding since the 1990's, rising over 30 feet, which has destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses and inundated thousands of acres of productive farmland. Last year, these lakes dropped nearly 3 feet from their 2011 record height. Currently the lakes are at an elevation of 1451.5 feet MSL (3/16/13) and due to an above normal topsoil wetness and above normal snowpack they have a 50% chance of rising approximately 2 feet. The immediate impact of a 1.5 to 2.5 foot rise is the loss in ground recovered over the past two years, including 25,000 acres of farmland and numerous miles of roadway and farm access roads.
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.
Recent rain events, above normal river levels, and forecasts for continued above normal precipitation create the risk for exceeding minor flood levels during spring in the lower Mississippi River basin and in the Southeast. This includes portions of Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia.
The flood potential from snowmelt and ice jams throughout Alaska this spring is currently rated as near normal. This forecast is based on current ice thickness, observed snowpack, and long range weather forecasts.
Heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding, even in areas where overall risk is considered low. The latest information for your specific area, including official watches and warnings should be obtained at: http://water.weather.gov
Current water supply forecasts and outlooks in the western United States range from near normal in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, to much below normal in the Central and Southern Rockies, and in California.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding
The information presented in this report focuses on spring flood potential, using evaluation methods analyzed on the timescale of weeks to months, not days. Heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding, even in areas where overall risk is considered low. Rainfall intensity and location can only be accurately forecasted for days in the future, therefore flood risk can change rapidly. "