AccuWeather.com reports residents and officials along the Red River in Northflooding Dakota and Minnesota are once again sandbagging in preparation for another near-record crest late this week. The river is already on the rise as snow leftover from the snowstorms that pummeled the northern Plains is melting and creating run-off.
The Red River at Fargo was at 32.18 feet (major stage) and rising as of Monday morning. By Friday, the river is likely to crest just below the record stage set late in March.
One to three inches of runoff could be released by snowcover as temperatures rise into the 60s through the middle of the week and lows stay above freezing overnight. Gusty winds will aid the rapid melt of snow.
A few showers will be tapering off through the Red River basin through today with the heaviest rain fortunately staying well to the south of the region. However, there are increasing concerns that more widespread moderate rainfall will spread in by the middle to end of the week and aggravate the flooding or at least prolong the flooding.
If the rain is heavy enough, it could push the river dangerously close to that record level of 40.6 feet set at Fargo late in March.
Other tributaries of the Red River are already cresting and in some places at record levels. The Sheyenne River at Lisbon, N.D., southwest of Fargo, is closing in on its record crest of 22.0 feet today.
To learn more or discuss with a forecaster, please contact:
Justin Roberti
Roberti@AccuWeather.com
Or call our 24-hour press hotline:
814-235-8710
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