National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Snow in the Rockies; Showers and Thunderstorms Along the Gulf Coast; Potential Winter Storm for Northern Mid-Atlantic and Interior New England

A winter-like pattern will continue over much of the Lower 48 over the next few days, with snow stretching from the Rockies today into the Middle Mississippi Valley on Monday. Showers and thunderstorms will develop along the Gulf Coast and Southeast on Monday. As the storm moves northward late Monday into Tuesday, winter weather is possible from the Central Appalachians to Interior New England. Read More >

The Mississippi River at La Crosse, WI experienced its longest duration flooding event in recorded history in 2019, despite the river not actually reaching a new record stage. Due to spring snow melt and several rounds of rain, the river remained above flood stage (12 feet) for over 40 days from late March through early May. The previous record was 30 days, set in 2001 between April 12th and May 11th. Some additional records can be found below.

Monthly Records:

  • Highest Monthly Average River Stage for Any Month: 13.65 feet in April 2019 (previous record was 12.96 feet in April 1965)
  • Highest April Average River Stage:  13.65 feet.
    (previous record was 12.96 feet in 1965)
  • Highest May Average River Stage:  11.95 feet.
    (previous record was 11.37 feet in 2001)

Yearly Records:

  • Most Days in a Year at 10 feet or Higher (Action Stage or No Wake Rules): 90 days, ending June 13 (previous record was 73 days in 1986)
  • Most Days in a Year at 12 feet (Minor Flood Stage) or Higher: 56 days as of June 13 (previous record was 30 days in 2001)
  • Most Days in a Year at 13 feet (Moderate Flood Stage) or Higher: 39 days as of June 13 (previous record was 27 days in 2001)

Consecutive Days Records:

  • Consecutive Days at 10 feet or Higher (Action Stage or No Wake Rules): 90 days, March 16–June 13 (previous record was 46 days, April 8–May 23, 1965)
  • Consecutive Days at 12 feet (Minor Flood Stage) or Higher: 41 days, March 26–May 5 (previous record was 30 days, April 12–May 11, 2001)
  • Also had another streak of 15 consecutive days (May 24-June 7, 2019) at 12 feet or higher (Flood Stage).  This tied similar streaks in 2014 (June 23 to July 7) and 1951 (April 14-28) for the 8th longest stretch of days at or above flood stage.
  • 3rd Longest Streak at 13 Feet (Moderate Flood Stage) or Higher: 19 days, March 28–April 15 (record is 27 days, April 13–May 9, 2001)
Photo

A trace of the river stage reading taken on the Mississippi River at La Crosse (Mar 9th-June 13th).