2 weeks ago
4
After a large snowstorm two weekends ago buried central Indiana under 6 to 12 inches of snow, the region has spent nearly two straight weeks locked in the cold. Temperatures stayed so low that very little melting occurred, leaving yards, fields, and rooftops still covered even as roadways were gradually cleared.
Now, a major pattern shift is underway. Forecast highs climbing into the upper 30s and lower 40s next week, some 10 to 15 degrees above average, will finally begin to chip away at that deep snowpack. While this melt will be welcome for travel and everyday life, it also introduces a new set of concerns as all that stored water is released in a short window of time.
One of the biggest watch areas will be rivers and creeks. Rapid melting can send large volumes of runoff into waterways, causing levels to rise quickly. Ice that formed during the prolonged cold stretch may begin breaking apart and moving downstream. When chunks pile up near bends or bridges, ice jams can form, temporarily damming water and increasing localized flood risk.
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