Broadview - Moose Jaw may be in store for some warm weather, but residents can expect the snow on the ground to stick around.
For the snow to melt, temperatures would have to consistently stay above 0 C for about five days, something Martin Grajczyk of Saskatchewan Watershed
Authority (SWA) does not expect to happen during the anticipated warm spell.
"We're not concerned (about large-scale thawing) happening now. We don't expect it to stay warm for a long enough period."
And although Moose Javians may think Old Man Winter has been unreasonably harsh this winter in terms of snowfall, precipitation levels have been average so far.
Grajczyk, senior hydrologist at SWA, said the snow that has fallen on Moose Jaw has had a relatively low moisture content. The dryness of the snow means less run-off will occur when it melts.
And that fact means, as long as drains are kept unclogged, the city should not have problems with flooding when spring comes.
Radville, Coronach, Oxbow, Broadview, and Swift Current may see higher than usual spring run-offs, according to Grajczyk.
While the melted snow is not expected to pose problems for these areas,
it will likely help those in rural areas who faced a very low run-off last year.
Grajczyk said the key to a good spring run-off is consecutive days with
"melting temperatures." If the temperature dips below the freezing mark at night, everything re-freezes and the whole process has to restart.
"If we get an average melt, we¹ll get an average run-off," said Grajczyk.
The SWA will release spring run-off forecasts in February and March. It
will monitor the run-off period, analyzing peak periods and water levels
across the province.
While the SWA does not directly offer flood assistance, should flooding occur it would work in association with government agencies to provide help, according to Grajczyk.
Broadview may see higher spring runoff
Moose Jaw may be in store for some warm weather, but residents can expect the snow on the ground to stick around.
For the snow to melt, temperatures would have to consistently stay above 0 C for about five days, something Martin Grajczyk of Saskatchewan Watershed
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