The Hazards of Warm Weather and Melting Snow

 

As temperatures warm and the snow slowly starts to disappear, you might start thinking about getting outside more. However, one potential hazard that you may not have considered is flooding.

The snow melting that occurs in the spring tends to happen gradually and can help replenish moisture to the soil. However, when the snowpack is deep and melts rapidly, the potential for flooding increases because the land cannot absorb the resulting meltwater fast enough. Frozen ground, heavy rain while the melting is occurring, or previous high soil moisture can also lead to flooding.

In addition to flooding, landslides and debris flows are also potential hazards as the snow melts.

Last April, snowmelt flooding occurred in portions of Montana, causing a state of emergency. On the 19th, the Milk River reached a flood stage of 13.93 feet, the highest level observed since 1952.

Warmer weather is around the corner and if you have a lot of snow to melt, keep in mind that there is a potential for flooding. Are you concerned about flooding as the snow melts where you’re located?