The National Weather Service just issued a flood warning for the Connecticut River at West Lebanon from now until Sunday night.
Rapid snow melt has brought the river to 16.7 feet (flood stage is 18 feet) and they are expecting a crest of 19 feet between now and Sunday night.
While not part of the Winnipesaukee watershed, it is a result of snow melt from up north, and therefore may be a sign of things to come.
It's starting to look like we might get temps in the 60s in the Wed-Fri timeframe. At this time of year, abnormally warm temperatures (75+) are not unusual, but are often not predicted until the day before. Usually the season's first 80-degree day starts off as a much cooler forecast and gradually gets warmer as the day approaches. Forecasters are usually unwilling to commit to a summery temp forecast at this time of year until it's right on the doorstep and knocking.
Last April, even after the way-below-normal temps we had from late January to early April, we still had a 76-degree day on April 23 (many parts of NH were in the low 80s.) Between the 21st and 24th the daytime highs were 66... 64... 76... 65. Such an occurrence this year could generate a lot of water from the snow upstream.
You probably wouldn't have more than 24 hours' notice of such temps... so best prepare as though the mountains were going to be in the 70s tomorrow and then you'll be ready for any flooding if it does happen before most of the snow melts. Watch the weathermap for warm fronts. They're common at this time of year as warm air makes its annual northward push from the Gulf of Mexico. Warm fronts can generate several hours of steady precip, followed by a sudden jump in temps after they pass.
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