(KTEN) – The National Weather Service has released its 2023 Spring Flood Outlook for the United States.

The Spring Flood Outlook considers many factors, including recent rainfall, soil moisture, streamflows, water supply, and projected spring weather. These factors are combined with the three month temperature and precipitation outlooks to forecast flood potential in river basins.

The 2023 US Spring Flood Outlook
The 2023 US Spring Flood Outlook NOAA/National Weather Service

 

Some locations where a greater than 50% of minor or major river flooding is possible during the March through May 2023 timeframe are located in Texoma. 

Contributing factors to this outlook is the amount of precipitation over the past three months. Rainfall amounts from two to ten inches fell across North and East Texas.

Rainfall totals around 2 to 10 inches have fallen in NE TX
Rainfall totals around 2 to 10 inches have fallen in NE TX NOAA/National Weather Service

 

Soil moisture is another factor that aided in developing the spring flood outlook. Notice the green contours (higher soil moisture) in SE OK and NE TX… this is good news in regards to drought conditions, but could spell issues for river and stream flooding.

In terms of forecasts, the spring outlook for temperature and precipitation shows above average temperatures possible and equal chances of average precipitation in Texoma.

The spring temperature/precipitation outlook
The spring temperature/precipitation outlook Climate Prediction Center

 

It is important to note that flooding can be caused by springtime thunderstorms that dump a large amount of rainfall in a short amount of time.