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Jed Boal ReportingWe added a lot of wet snow and water to the snowpack yesterday, and temperatures soared today; regardless, snowmelt and potential flooding are weeks away.
The spring storm gave us the kind of soaking Utah craved during the extended drought. Spring flooding is possible, but high-elevation snowpack won't release its water in Northern Utah for another month or more.
The snowpack starts to melt when the temperature from top to bottom equalizes at 32° F. That's when the run-off really begins. Before reaching this isothermal state, the snowpack has different temperatures at different depths. As melting snow at the top dribbles down, it refreezes.
Ground temperature, air temperature, and exposure to heat from the sun affect how quickly it becomes what's called isothermal.
So it's still a bit too early for a detailed forecast on the flooding and there are always several wildcards in play. The frequency of the storms, also the possibility of a heavy rain event on top of that snowpack. And also, if it stays cool throughout the spring and then turns to summer temperatures overnight, the water races out of the canyons and creates flood potential.
