reservoir7Bismarck (CSi) The National Weather Service reports that for the James River basin, the flood outlook ranges from normal to well below normal flood chances, for the next few weeks based on basin conditions as of January 23, 2015.

Currently, the frost depth is not nearly as deep as a year ago, at around 30 inches. The Weather Service says at this time there is no unusual risk.

Snowpack at this time and its water equivalent is reported to nearly and inch to a few small areas of two inches in the upper James River basin.

The Weather Service says soil levels that were high for most of last summer have dropped to a more normal range due to a warm and dry September and October of 2014.

Ice thickness is near normal to a little below normal, suggesting that problems associated with excessive ice are also not at levels seen in the past few years.

As of January 23rd the 6-10- and 8-14 day temperature outlook reflects warmer than normal temperatures with a shift to more normal temps in early February.

Precipitation is forecast at elevated, but not suggesting any significant amounts.

Major rivers and lakes are all within their normal ranges for this time of the year, and all flood control reservoirs are all with their normal range.