FARGO — The general weather pattern appears to be undergoing a relatively minor shift, one that will likely keep our region much cooler than average but also drier than average into the middle of April. "Cooler than average" does not mean it will remain below freezing. but it does likely mean a very slow melting of the snowpack at least through the middle of April. This is actually the best forecast with spring flooding in mind.
Although the soils are relatively dry across the region, March snowfall has raised the water content of the snowpack to where there will certainly be at least moderate flooding. The spring flood outlook has become conditional. A rapid melt combined with rain could lead to spring flood trouble, but a long and slow melt combined with mostly light additional water will keep the spring flooding quite manageable.