Temps could melt lowland snowpack

SANDPOINT — The onset of warmer weather is expected to melt low-elevation snow this weekend and into next week, according to the National Weather Service in Spokane.

Temperatures this weekend are anticipated to climb in the 40s and low 50s across much of the Inland Northwest. The warm-up is expected to continue into next week with lowland temperatures in the 50s Monday through Friday. Some spots may climb into the 60s toward the end of week.

With at least five or six days of warmer weather, the National Weather Service outlined some potential impacts associated with the loss of much of our lowland snow.

“If you live in an area that has over a foot of snow on the ground and you typically experience field flooding, there is a good chance that some field flooding will occur. Fields that typically drain poorly will have the greatest potential of experiencing standing water as the snow melts,” the service said in a hydrologic outlook posted on Friday.

There is also a good chance of rises on small streams fled by low-elevation snow melt, according to the National Weather Service.

“Some minor flooding will be possible. Some roads that are frequently closed due to field flooding may be impacted next week,” the advisory said.

There is also a slim chance of ice jam flooding, which can occur when ice-covered rivers break up as temperatures warm and runoff causes water levels to rise.

“Forecasting ice jams is difficult, but at this time rapid river rises causing a sudden break up of river ice is not anticipated,” the advisory said.

Chances are also low that main-stem rivers such as the Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and Palouse rivers will flood.

“Current base flows are quite low at this time. Rises will occur, but river channels have room to accept runoff from melting snow, the service said.

The National Weather Service said the melting of low-elevation snowpack will help mitigate significant flooding in the upcoming weeks.

“If we can melt a good deal of our low elevation snow gradually during the next one to two weeks, our situation will improve as we enter our typical mountain runoff season (mid April through late May),” the weather service said.

Bob Howard, director of Bonner County Emergency Management, said local officials are keeping an eye on small streams and rivers and is hoping temperatures remain cool at night. Moreover, there is no rain in the immediate forecast.

“Right now, the forecast does call for that rain,” he said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.