Record snow melting into flood risk across Upper Midwest, Rockies
Snow melt happens each spring, when temperatures gradually warm above freezing enough consistently to melt snow that has stuck around all winter. The resulting water stored is then released, which can lead to ponding of water and rises on creeks and rivers. Areas that will be impacted are used to spring flooding, but after a record year of snowfall, the risk for flooding will be higher than previous years.