Wyoming Spring 2016 flood potential outlook
by Jim Fahey, Wyoming NOAA hydrologist
March 20, 2016
Quick Synopsis:
Mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents (SWEs) across central to north central Wyoming continued to be generally below average by the middle of March; while SWEs across southern Wyoming basins were generally near average to above average. SWEs at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations (8,500’ – 10.000’) were the highest across the Lower Green and Laramie Basins at 105 to 115 percent of median. The Tongue and Powder River Drainages had SWEs at 55 to 70 percent of median at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations.
This outlook is based on various diverse hydrological factors such as snow water equivalents (SWEs) in the mountain snowpack, basin morphology (i.e. how basins respond to snowmelt runoff), antecedent soil moisture, amount of bark beetle kill, low elevation snow depths, and likely temperature and precipitation trends during the late spring through early summer.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Moderate potential for flooding associated with snowmelt is still expected across lower portions the Upper North Platte and Laramie Watersheds.
Moderate potential for snowmelt flooding is also expected across lower sections of the Blacks Fork and Wind River Drainages.
All other of headwater basins across Wyoming can expect a generally Low potential for flooding due to springtime snowmelt.
The next outlook will be issued around the 26th of April.
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Other hydrological information for Wyoming can be found at the NOAA hydrology website:
http://www.weather.gov/riw/local_hydrology
Monthly Wyoming Hydrologic Summary and Graphics:
(updated monthly around the 15th of every month)
http://www.weather.gov/media/riw/hydro/hydro_report.pdf
Wyoming Drought Information Page:
(updated at least once a month)
http://www.weather.gov/riw/drought
Wyoming Graphical Water Supply Outlook:
(updated around the 10th of every month—January-June)
http://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/watersupply.png
Wyoming Average Precipitation by Basin:
(updated monthly)
http://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/wyomingprecip.png
Wyoming Spring Snowmelt Runoff Flood Potential Graphic:
(updated around the 20th of the month---February-May)
http://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/floodoutlook.png
Current and Forecast Wyoming Streamflows and/or River Stages:
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=RIW
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=CYS
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wy/nwis/rt
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