Flooding Rains & Strong Winds Possible For Sunday Into Monday

Champlain Valley Weather Discussion:
         The National Weather Service in Burlington, VT has issued a Flood Watch for much of Vermont, and portions of Northern New York for the potential of flooding from heavy rains, and the potential for ice jam flooding due to expected rapid rises on area waterways.

         The National Weather Service in Albany, NY has issued a Flash Flood Watch for extreme Southern Vermont for the potential of flash flooding due to heavy rains, and possible ice jam flooding due to significant rises on area waterways.

         Champlain Valley Weather has issued a Flood Watch for much of Vermont, and portions of Northern New York for the potential of 1-2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts, which will lead to potential flooding, and significant rises on area waterways, which will also produce great risk of ice jam flooding. A High Wind Watch has also been issued for the Western slopes of the Green mountains for the potential of strong southeast winds of 25-40MPH with gusts up to 60MPH, with isolated higher gusts in most favored mountain gap locations.

         Currently a low pressure system is expected to move into the Midwestern portion of the United States, and push significant amounts of moisture, and warmer air into the region.

         Rain showers should develop Sunday afternoon, and overspread the entire region by Sunday evening. Rain will become steady overnight, and become heavy at times through Monday afternoon. Widespread rainfall totals of 1-2 inches, with locally higher amounts to near 4 inches are possible by Monday afternoon. The highest amounts are likely to occur across Central, and Southern Vermont. This amount of rain combined with temperatures in the mid 40's to lower 50's, will produce significant snowmelt, and runoff into are waterways. The result will be significant rises on area waterways, and potential flooding. Along with normal flooding concerns, the rapid rises will likely break up river ice and result in ice jams, which could enhance flooding significantly. If you live near an area waterway, it is urged to monitor it closely, and at any signs of flooding, move to higher ground immediately.

         Rain wont be the only problem with this storm system, winds will also be a concern. Especially along the western slopes of the green mountains. Southeast winds across the entire region will average 15-25MPH with isolated gusts up to 40MPH. For the favored gap locations along the western slopes of the green mountains such as Cambridge, Huntington, and Rutland winds will likely be in the 25-40MPH range with gusts up to 60MPH, isolated gusts up to 70MPH are possible in the most favored mountain gap locations. Winds of this magnitude would result in tree damage, and power outages as well as isolated structural damage. The strongest winds will occur late Sunday Night into Monday afternoon. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing storm system.