BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The National Weather Service says the risk of widespread flooding in the western two-thirds of North Dakota this spring is well below normal, due in large part to a minimal snowpack.
 
     Hydrologists say heavy spring rains or ice jams could lead to some minor flooding in some areas of the Souris, Missouri and James River valleys.
 
     Devils Lake is expected to have “a typical late-spring rise” this year. The ice-covered lake currently is down about 1  1/2 feet from this time last year. There is virtually no chance the lake will succeed its record level set in June 2011.NationalWeatherServicelogo

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The National Weather Service says the threat for noteworthy spring flooding in the Red River Valley is low.
 
     The outlook shows a 50 percent chance that the river will reach 20 feet in the Fargo area, which is 2 feet above flood stage. The chance of major flooding is about 5 percent.
 
     The weather service says the snowpack and snow water equivalent are at 40-80 percent of normal in most areas. The climate outlook calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures with near-normal precipitation heading into spring.
 
     The Fargo area dealt with three straight years of flooding beginning with a record Red River crest in 2009. The city last experienced significant flooding in 2013.
 
     The next report is scheduled for March 3.