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Fire Weather Concerns and Severe Weather

Dry and breezy conditions will bring elevated to critical fire weather conditions across portions of the northern and central High Plains through this weekend, where fuels remain largely receptive. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible from the Plains into the Upper Midwest, as well as in the Ohio Valley and portions of the Mid-Atlantic through this weekend. Read More >

Overview

Extensive flooding occurred late May and into June across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois, and northeast Missouri.  The last half of May was very wet with 5-8 inches of rain falling over the region.  This combined with saturated soils, brought many rivers above Moderate to Major flood levels.  Many climate sites only saw 3 days of no precipitation from May 16th to May 31st. 

The Wapsipinicon, Iowa, Skunk, Des Moines, Rock, and Green Rivers all recorded a preliminary Top 10 crest on record.  The mainstem Mississippi also crested again in late May / early June, with sites from Le Claire LD 14 on downstream recording a Top 10 crest.

Several significant flood events also occurred in March - Early May 2019 due to snowmelt, heavy rain, and saturated soil.  Summary of these events can be found at:

Spring Snowmelt Flood Summary

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Mississippi River Flooding
Muscatine, IA June 3rd, 2019
NWS Flood Survey
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