FGUS72 KMHX 211921 ESFMHX NCC013-031-049-055-061-079-095-103-107-117-133-137-147-177-187- 220730- Winter/Spring Flood Potential Outlook National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 321 PM EDT Thu Mar 21 2019 ...THE WINTER FLOOD OUTLOOK CALLS FOR ABOVE NORMAL POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA... Each winter and early spring, the National Weather Service office in Morehead City, North Carolina issues a series of flood potential outlooks. These outlooks estimate the potential for river flooding across our Hydrologic Service Area (HSA). The HSA includes Eastern North Carolina. The outlook is based on the current assessment of hydrometeorological factors which contribute to river flooding. These factors include, but are not limited too recent precipitation, soil moisture, snow cover and snow water equivalent, stream flows, river ice and expected future weather conditions. Overall...Late winter has seen a break in the wet pattern the southeast U.S. had seen from fall into early winter. In the last 14 days we have seen below normal precipitation over most of the area. The potential for flooding is still above normal with many rivers still above normal, ground conditions still wet, and the potential for above normal rain still forecast. Past precipitation has been near to a little below normal across the region over the past 30 days, however well above normal rain in previous months has led to above normal stream flows. Reservoirs throughout the region remain at or above their target pool levels for March. There is no significant snowpack across Eastern North Carolina at this time that would have an impact on winter or spring flooding. Long term precipitation...Based on CPC long lead outlooks, the seasonal outlook from March through May shows chances for above normal rainfall. To see the forecast from the Climate Prediction Center. here is the link: www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov If needed, the next Winter/Spring Flood Outlook will be issued by April 4th. $$