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One round of rain and high mountain is expected to arrive Thursday, a second wet system comes on Friday, followed by showery and cooler weather for Saturday. Snow levels are expected to rise above 5,000 feet Thursday through Friday, and two-day rainfall amounts could range from 0.70- to 1.5-inches across north central Washington into North Idaho.
These rounds of precipitation along with the current status of saturated soils could lead to new or renewed flooding or high water issues. Low lying areas, small streams and steep slopes are the most vulnerable. Additional landslides are also possible until soils dry out.
In Boundary County, the new rainfall is almost certain to increase traffic problems on Highway 95 at the Mountain Meadows mudslide, where traffic has been one lane since the slope gave way two weeks ago, and on the north end of Deep Creek Loop, which has been completely closed since the early morning of March 22.
In both locations, the soils are still highly unstable; on the hill overlooking the north bound lane on Highway 95, where ITD and contract crews are working around the clock to clear the mud and keep the south lane open, on Deep Creek Loop, it is the ground supporting the roadbed that is moving, opening fissures in the road between Mirror Lake Golf Course and the railroad trestle, and threatening to drop portions of the roadway down into the district, which now resembles the historic Mirror Lake that existed before the dikes were built.
Field flooding up the valley is also likely to get worse as the Kootenai River, which dropped below the 57-foot action stage at Bonners Ferry Tuesday for the first time since March 29, is expected to rise to 58.62 feet Around April 9. This is well short of minor flood stage, which is 64 feet, but it will keep water tables high and prolong the field flooding in the valley from Bonners Ferry north to Canada, keeping farmers anxious as to whether they'll be able to get in to plant in time to produce a crop.
In Bonners Ferry, the National Weather Service predicts a 40-percent chance of light rain tonight, increasing to a 70-percent chance on Thursday, when up to 0.25-inch is expected. After a lull late Thursday into Friday morning, clouds are expected to roll in by about 11 a.m., bringing not only moderate to heavy rains of up to half an inch, but thunder boomers through Friday night as well.
On the 10-day Weatherbug forecast, there is very little sun through the middle of the month, with a chance of rain every day through Saturday, April 15.
The chance of light to moderate rain remains at 50-percent or higher through the weekend, then declines to a 20-percent chance by next Wednesday.
Residents and travelers are encouraged to monitor this weather situation for updates, watches or warnings. People who live along streams or rivers should monitor water levels closely, and those on or atop hillsides should be alert to signs of ground failure such as soil crumbling and falling away or trees starting to lean or shift. If such activity appears, authorities should be notified and, if significant, preparations be made to evacuate.
To report flooding or landslide problems in Boundary County, call the sheriff's office at (208) 267-3151 and select "0" for dispatch. In the event of an emergency, dial 911.
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