In Like a Lamb

March weather conditions started off with warm above freezing temperatures, leading to snow and ice in the region to melt off, which caused minor flooding in low lying areas in Valley County. With cool temps forecast for the coming weekend, the National Weather Service in Glasgow is anticipating a slowing of that current melting and subsequent flooding.

In the first nine days of March, the daily temperatures in Glasgow were consistently above freezing. In fact, with the exception of March 8 where the high was 34 degrees, the high temps for the first days of March were all in the 40s and 50s, with the highest being 58 degrees on March 7. For three of those eight days (March 4, 6 and 7) the low did not fall below freezing temperatures. Normal highs and lows for this time of year are in the 30s and teens respectively. The record highs for the same time were in the 60s.

That warming caused snow and ice in the region to thaw filling creeks and the Milk River in Valley County. Patrick Gilchrist with the NWS in Glasgow told the Courier that with the ground saturated from unusually wet conditions in the fall of 2019, most of the water running off this time of year will not be absorbed by the soil.

"You know we're saying up at the office that every snowflake this year is going to run off," said Gilchrist, discussing the minor flooding projections for the current week. He added though, that temps are expected to drop by the end of the week and that will slow the melting and subsequent run off, allowing rivers to flow downstream before more water is added. "That cooling will allow some water to run off before more precipitation comes and give us room to breath."

At press time on March 10, the Milk River at Glasgow had risen to 26.41 feet-just above minor flood stage at 25 feet-and was expected to taper off throughout the week. Flooding is projected to fall back below minor flood stage on March 11. The effects from minor flooding on the Milk River in the Glasgow area include some flooded low areas and water over low-lying roads.

The Milk River at Nashua had also reached minor flood stage on March 7 after surpassing 20 feet. The river's depth peaked at 21.75 feet and was below flood stage and decreasing at press time. The Milk River near Tampico also rose but not quite to minor flood stage levels on March 9 reaching 22.98 feet which is just below the minor flood stage mark of 23 feet. As of press time the water level at Tampico was decreasing and is projected to continue to do so.

The Weather Service did add that weather and flood conditions are constantly changing and the best thing to do is be prepared for severe weather and flooding as the seasons shift from winter to spring and even into summer. Having a plan, being alert for severe weather and acquiring flood insurance are ways to prepare. For more info go to weather.gov/safety.