I have to admit, this rain is scaring the bajeezus out of me. Just on the way home I sloshed through water, noticed bare ground showing, passed by water filled ditches on 45th, and noticed water falling from my roof and ice disappearing from Red River. I really hope that this new rainfall is somehow good in the long run in regards to Fargo area flooding, but for now… it is keeping me on edge and I wonder if the crest is coming sooner rather than later?
The most recent NWS flood outlook (released on March 5) predicted flooding for the FM area, but all of these predictions assume only 1-2 inches of additional precipitation falls for the rest of the winter. Weather Underground reports that we have had .6 inches of precipitation on March 10 (although I am writing this ON the day in question and not sure if these are the final totals). Rain is supposed to continue tomorrow and another system coming through on Sunday. Are we going to creep up on the 1 to 2 inches of leeway the National Weather Service gave the city of Fargo? I hope “creep up” is all and we never surpass.
Also, the melting seems crazy. I am seeing the ground in places where I did not just a few days ago and it sounds like the temps are increasing. According to the current forecast at WDAY, we are going to be pretty much above freezing through next Tuesday with brief periods below 32. What does all of this melting mean? Are we going to go into another cold snap this month (and would that be a good thing), or are we on our way to the 2010 Red River crest? According to this, it looks like things might start rising rapidly next week.
Once again, I am not sure what these weather trends really mean, but my opinion is that we are going to start seeing some major changes in the Red River next week. Keep filling those sandbags FM area!
