Springtime

The blizzard of '07 began one month ago today, but all traces of it are now gone. Spring is definitely here. There has already been some flooding (11.38 feet on the Kickapoo River at La Farge last week, not quite flood stage but close enough), unseasonably mild temperatures (66 degrees today), and some isolated severe weather. Storms on Wednesday night brought pea-sized hail locally with some isolated reports of penny- and nickel-sized hail in parts of the region.

The weather pattern remains very unsettled. Showers and thunderstorms are likely tomorrow night as another warm front moves northward, and there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms on Sunday. A stronger storm system is currently forecast to impact the region around the middle of next week, and could bring another chance of severe storms. Severe weather is not altogether uncommon in late March, but it is rare to have more than one outbreak.

Heavy rain will also be a big concern during this period. About six-tenths of an inch fell during Wednesday's storms, which caused the river to rise nearly three feet here. This is because the ground is saturated from the recent snowmelt, and is still frozen at greater depths. Flooding conditions could redevelop if heavy rain does occur. Something to watch...