Area wide flood watch issued

March 3, 2014

An area wide flood watch has now been issued on the heels of the region's most severe snowstorm of the season. Temperatures are now expected to warm and the snow turn to rain, creating the possibility of flooding along area rivers and streams though the end of the week.

The flood watch goes into effect Tueday afternoon through Friday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, the region will come under the influence of a milder and more moist weather pattern through the week, with warmer temperatures expected to lead to a fairly rapid melt-off of the recent snow at low to mid-level elevations.

A pair of wet storm systems are expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall across the Idaho Panhandle and northeast Washington that could bring up to an inch of rain, and up to 1 1/4 inch is possible in some areas, which is likely to lead to heavy storm-water runoff and rising rivers, creeks and streams.

In addition, the rains, expected over a three-day period with the heaviest precipitation coming Wednesday and Thursday, could high debris flow as well as trigger mudslides. With still frozen soils, infiltration will be poor, further increasing runoff problems, especially in urban and low-lying areas.

There is a good chance that main streams and rivers will be running high by the weekend.

Those in flood-prone areas are urged to take precautions to reduce flood risks, and be prepared to take necessary actions should serious flooding occur.