Spring Flood Outlook for Northeast MN and Northwest WI

Wind and Rain in the Northeast; Atmospheric River to Impact the West

A cold front will cross the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. through today with gusty winds and areas of rain showers. A strong atmospheric river is then expected to move into the Northwest by midweek bringing a threat for moderate to heavy rainfall and flooding, gusty winds, and mountain snows for parts of Washington, Oregon, northern California, and the Sierra Nevada. Read More >

2025 Spring Flood Outlook #3 (Mar 13, 2025)

Spring Flooding potential across the Northland is normal to below normal based on marginal amounts of snow water and deep frost depths.

Precipitation and rate of snowmelt while the ground is frozen through early spring will be one of the most important flood risk factors. This outlook does not take into account the risk of flash flooding.

Deep frost could lead to poor infiltration and efficient runoff if heavy rains fall while the ground is still frozen.

Current Spring Flood Threat Checklist

Threat	Impact to Potential Spring Flooding	Links
High River Levels	Normal to Below Normal Streamflow	USGS WaterWatch MN WI
High Soil Moisture	Normal to Below Normal	CPC Soil Moisture
Winter Precipitation	Normal to Below Normal	Climate Prediction Center 6 to 10 Day 8 - 14 Day
Current Snowpack/Liquid Equivalent	Normal to Below Normal	Current Snow Water Equivalent Analysis Snow Water Equivalent Ranking
Rate of Snowmelt	TBD	24, 48, & 72 hr Snowmelt
Frost Depth	Higher	Frost Depth Map
Spring Precipitation	TBD	Point Forecast (Next 7 Days) Precip Outlook (Upcoming Weeks)

Threat

Impact to Potential Spring Flooding

Links

High River Levels

Normal to Below Normal Streamflow

USGS WaterWatch MN WI

High Soil Moisture

Normal to Below Normal

CPC Soil Moisture

Winter Precipitation

Normal to Below Normal

Climate Prediction Center

6 to 10 Day 8 - 14 Day

Current Snowpack/Liquid Equivalent

Normal to Below Normal

Current Snow Water Equivalent Analysis

Snow Water Equivalent Ranking

Rate of Snowmelt

TBD

24, 48, & 72 hr Snowmelt

Frost Depth

Higher

Frost Depth Map

Spring Precipitation

TBD

Point Forecast (Next 7 Days)

Precip Outlook (Upcoming Weeks)

For more details, please see the full briefing PDF:

Wind and Rain in the Northeast; Atmospheric River to Impact the West

Spring Flood Outlook for Northeast MN and Northwest WI

2025 Spring Flood Outlook #3 (Mar 13, 2025)

Current Spring Flood Threat Checklist