Full Notification

A significant and prolonged warmup from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday is going to start the snow melt across the area in the upcoming days. Snow cover across parts of northeast Iowa and far southwest Wisconsin is ready to quickly melt and run off. Further north across much of southeast Minnesota and neaby areas into western and central Wisconsin the run off from melting snow looks to mainly be Wednesday night and Thursday. In north-central Wisconsin, run off from snow melt looks like it would be more into Thursday before it starts. In cities and towns, the effects of snow melt and run off will be quicker and more easily noticeable if storm drains and drainage ways are clogged by snow and ice. Ponding of water in intersections and low areas may quickly develop in many communities. On top of this, periods of rain are expected late Tuesday through Thursday, with rainfall totals of around an inch possible for many locations. This will add to the snow melt run off and flooding threats. With ice on most rivers and streams, there is also the threat of ice jams and the flooding that comes with them as rivers and streams rise from the snow melt and rain fall run-off. Those with interests along rivers and streams need to remain alert for rising water levels and the threat of flooding through the few days. The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Flood Watch for portions of Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and Wisconsin, including the following areas, in Iowa, Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, and Winneshiek. In southeast Minnesota, Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona. In Wisconsin, Adams, Buffalo, Clark, Crawford, Grant, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Taylor, Trempealeau, and Vernon.

* From Wednesday morning through Thursday evening

* Warmer temperatures Tuesday afternoon through Thursday will accelerate snow melt across the area. Run off from this melt, along with period of rains will create rising water levels in the rivers and streams of the area, and an increasing risk of flooding. Most rivers and streams are currently ice covered. As water levels rise, this ice is going to break up with the threat of ice jams and flooding that comes with them.

* Significant rises possible due to run off or localized ice jams. Anyone with interests along area rivers and streams continue to monitor the forecast and river levels closely.

* AFFECTED AREAS: LA CROSSE ... HOUSTON ... OLMSTED ... MITCHELL ... ADAMS ... MOWER ... WINNESHIEK ... FLOYD ... JACKSON ... TAYLOR ... JUNEAU ... CLARK ... VERNON ... WABASHA ... ALLAMAKEE ... CLAYTON ... DODGE ... FILLMORE ... HOWARD ... FAYETTE ... RICHLAND ... TREMPEALEAU ... WINONA ... CHICKASAW ... BUFFALO ... CRAWFORD ... GRANT ... MONROE

Instructions:

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.