FARGO-The Fargo-Moorhead area and other parts of the southern Red River Valley will likely see minor to somewhat moderate flooding this spring. But the northern valley, particularly the Grafton area, could see major flooding that could swamp records.
That was the news Thursday, March 2, from an early March flood update provided by the National Weather Service in Grand Forks.
The early thaw now in progress is one factor in the relatively optimistic outlook for the southern Red River Valley, according to weather service spokesman Greg Gust.
He added that high soil moisture levels in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota-the result of heavy precipitation last summer and fall-are setting the northern valley up for potentially heavy flooding, particularly in the Grafton area.
The latter situation, Gust said, "is something to closely watch."
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He said the central Red River Valley, including the Grand Forks area, can expect moderate flooding, though there is also a chance for some major flooding.
Minor to low-end moderate Sheyenne River flooding is anticipated in the Valley City area, Gust said.
Major flooding is expected in the Devils Lake area, according to Gust, who said current simulation models predict flooding that could approach record levels.
