If current snowpack and climate trends continue, Northwest Missouri can expect a reduced threat of flooding along the Missouri River this spring. That’s the word from the National Weather Service in its annual Spring Flood Outlook.

Officials say Spring flooding across the area will be driven by rainfall events if the current trend of snowpack continues. Snowpack magnitude across the entire Missouri Basin is expected to be significantly less than last year, although officials remind us that peak mountain snowpack doesn’t occur until mid-April.

The new March through May climate outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal precipitation to the east across the Great Lakes region and Ohio Valley, but for most of this area, the climate outlook indicates equal chances of above, below, or normal precipitation.

The Weather Service says these outlooks only give the probability of above, below, or near normal precipitation/temperatures.

Climate outlooks do not provide any information regarding the potential magnitude above or below normal levels of precipitation and temperature.

Typical spring flooding is expected.

With current snowpack, soil moisture, and stream flow conditions, a normal precipitation pattern would likely cause minor flooding at Missouri River forecast points which frequently flood.

Similar conditions are expected along the tributary creeks and rivers. Minor, or in some cases moderate flooding is likely at locations which typically flood as a result of normal Spring precipitation patterns.