Wyoming Spring 2016 Snowmelt Flood Potential Outlook---updated April 19th

Weather.gov > Western and Central Wyoming > Wyoming Spring 2016 Snowmelt Flood Potential Outlook---updated April 19th

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Quick Synopsis:

Mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents (SWEs) across central to southern Wyoming continued to be average to above average by the middle of April; while SWEs across northern Wyoming basins were generally below average.  SWEs at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations (8,500’ – 10.000’) were the highest across the Laramie Basin at 120 to 125 percent of median.   The Tongue and Powder River Drainages had SWEs at 75 to 80 percent of median at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations.

This outlook is based on various diverse hydrological factors such as snow water equivalents (SWEs) in the mountain snowpack, basin morphology (i.e. how basins respond to snowmelt runoff),  antecedent soil moisture, amount of bark beetle kill, low elevation snow depths, and likely temperature and precipitation trends during the late spring through early summer.   

HIGHLIGHTS:

…Moderate to High potential for flooding associated with snowmelt is expected across lower portions of the Laramie River Basin…

…Moderate potential for snowmelt flooding is expected across lower sections of the Upper North Platte River and Little/Big Wind River Drainages…

…All other of headwater basins across Wyoming can expect a generallyLow potential for flooding due to springtime snowmelt...

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Other hydrological information for Wyoming can be found at the NOAA hydrology website:

http://www.weather.gov/riw/local_hydrology

Monthly Wyoming Hydrologic Summary and Graphics:

(updated monthly around the 15th of every month)

 http://www.weather.gov/media/riw/hydro/hydro_report.pdf

Wyoming Drought Information Page:

(updated at least once a month)

 http://www.weather.gov/riw/drought

Wyoming Graphical Water Supply Outlook:

(updated by the 10th of every month—January-June)

 http://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/watersupply.png

Wyoming Average Precipitation by Basin:

 (updated monthly)

 http://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/wyomingprecip.png

Wyoming Spring Snowmelt Runoff Flood Potential Graphic:

(updated around the 20th of the month---February-May)

 http://www.weather.gov/images/riw/hydro/floodoutlook.png

Current and Forecast Wyoming Streamflows and/or River Stages:

 http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=RIW

 http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=CYS

 http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wy/nwis/rt

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The current Wyoming Spring 2016 Snowmelt Runoff Flood Potential Outlook graphic: