| Episode Narrative |
A considerable amount of snow had accumulated during the previous winter across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. As the snow melted, river levels rose across northern Iowa with numerous sites reaching minor to moderate flood levels. A couple of the sites, most notably Estherville and Cedar Falls, briefly reached low end major levels. It was fortunate that the snow melted relatively slowly and also the fact that no significant rainfall occurred during the melt. Rainfall that occurred later in the month was held in check by sub-freezing temperatures. The fact that reduced the flooding was a cold spell that moved into the state after the 22nd. Temperatures were highly variable during the month as is typical for this time of year as the weather transitions from winter to spring. A very mild period prevailed from the 14th through the 22nd but was followed by nine consecutive colder than normal days to finish out the month. Sibley recorded the March���s lowest temperature with a low of -5�� on the 2nd while Shenandoah and Sidney tied for the highest temperatures with 81�� readings on the 22nd. Temperatures for the month as a whole averaged slightly below normal over the northwest and a little above normal over the southeast. Precipitation was fairly evenly distributed throughout the month and was generally greater than normal over the northeast one-third of Iowa and well below normal over the western third of the state. About half of the month���s precipitation came in two storms. The first storm, on the 8th-9th, started with rain statewide but transitioned to snow over the northwestern two-thirds of Iowa. Greatest snow amounts of three to five inches fell over north central and northeast Iowa while rain totals locally exceeded an inch over the southeast. The second event on the 22nd-23rd brought thunderstorms and rainfall statewide with rain amounts up to two inches over parts of north central Iowa. Damage from the river flooding was limited to agricultural areas for the most part. Considerable advance preparation in more flood prone areas also helped to reduce losses. |
