Snow Melt Impacts

weather.gov

National Weather Service


HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT

1229 PM MDT Tue Mar 20 2018



...Snow Melt Impacts to Continue through Friday...



Warming temperatures through Friday are expected to increase low

elevation snow melt. The potential for impacts from this melt will

increase as well, especially for areas east of Billings where the

snow pack is heaviest.

• Water flowing overland and accumulating in low lying areas may
  
  result in low land flooding, water flowing over roadways, and
  
  basement flooding. Increased runoff from snowmelt moving into
  
  creeks and streams will increase the potential for ice jam
  
  flooding. In areas where ice jams are already occuring this could
  
  increase flood waters or cause the ice jam to break up. Muddy
  
  roads may strand vehicles and impede or cut off travel in some
  
  rural areas.
  

• The severity of these impacts will depend on the pace of the snow
  
  melt. High temperatures Thursday and Friday are expected to be in
  
  the lower 40s near the Dakota borders to around 60 degrees along
  
  the Beartooth/Absaroka Foothills. Overnight lows Thursday night
  
  across the lower elevations may stay above freezing for areas
  
  along and west of a Sheridan to Billings line. Cooler temperatures
  
  are anticipated this weekend, slowing the rate of snow and ice
  
  melt. High temperatures on Saturday will be in the 40s across the
  
  lower elevations with 30s and 40s for Sunday.
  
  
  
• If preparations have not already been made, now is the time to
  
  move equipment and livestock out of low lying areas, and away from
  
  waterways. Move heavy accumulations of snow away from home
  
  foundations, and take steps to prevent water making it into
  
  basements.
  
  
  
• Stay tuned to the forecast at www.weather.gov/billings for the
  
  latest temperature trends. If flooding is observed, report it to
  
  local law enforcement and ask them to pass it on to the National
  
  Weather Service.