Here are some helpful links to help you track this week's big spring melt-down, and how the rivers near your house are fairing.

National Weather Service Current Hazards page: http://newweb.wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo=otx
Local River Forecast: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/otx/main.php?wfo=otx&pil=rvs&sid=otx
National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=otx
Flood Safety: http://www.weather.gov/floodsafety/
Northwest River Forecast Center: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/snow/snow.cgi
Natural Resources Conservation Service snowpack info: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/update.html

Posted by Kris Crocker at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a typical Spring, I remind my kxly4 viewers several times throughout April that it is too early to plant. But this is far from a typical Spring, and with our unseasonably cool conditions this season, I haven't noticed the premature rush to the local nurseries. The average date for the last frost in Spokane has come and gone (it's May 4th), but I'm still a little nervous about those Petunias, Marigolds, Begonias and other pretty, tender plants. The general rule of thumb for planting in Spokane is May 15th, but even then, I would definitely check the 7-day-forecast before I put my plants in the ground. The LATEST spring frost on record is May 23rd.

Gardeners in many of our outlying areas have to wait a little longer. For example, the average date of the last frost in Republic is June 10th! For a list of average last frost dates for several towns in Idaho and Washington, click here. Before you plant, be sure to watch kxly4, and I'll keep an eye on any potential frosts for you.

Posted by Kris Crocker at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Funnel cloud near Fairchild Air Force Base, May 21st, 2004 (Courtesy, National Weather Service)

We don't get the big tornadoes here, and it's safe to say that a hurricane or tropical storm will NEVER hit the Inland Northwest, but severe weather does happen here, and it is important to be prepared. It is "Severe Weather Awareness Week" in the Inland Northwest. Our friends at the National Weather Service have put together a six part series of reports on how to prepare and stay safe in any type of severe weather situation. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Posted by Kris Crocker at 06:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)