New National Weather Service report says the odds of spring flooding in NE Iowa have increased

The La Crosse office of the National Weather Service says there appears to be a higher than average chance of flooding in Northeast Iowa this spring.

The latest report--issued Friday--hedges its bets by saying flooding impacts will be greatly influenced by how fast the snow melts and by how much snow and rain we receive in the next month or so, but it concludes by saying the chance of flooding is "slightly above normal" at this point.

The National Weather Service says soil moisture values in Northeast Iowa are 2 to 3 inches above normal and the soil will not be able to absorb much of the snow melt.

Additionally, river flow continues to be above average for this time of year.

Snow depth in the Upper Iowa River basin and the Turkey River basin averages between 10 to 20 inches. Soil moisture content averages between 2 to 4 inches of moisture. Frost depth is 12 inches or less.

The updated flood report concludes "Any snow melt is likely to run off, rather than soak into the ground."