Flood Watch 12/10/2024 16:52 for Maine, New Hampshire areas

A storm system from the south will bring widespread soaking rain to the region for Wednesday into Wednesday night. Warm temperatures will melt snowpack and increase river flows. Cold air on the backside of the system will slow runoff on Thursday and end overland flooding, however, river responses could last through the end of the week. * WHAT...Flooding caused by heavy rain, snowmelt, and ice jams are possible. * WHERE...Portions of Maine, including the following areas, Androscoggin, Central Interior Cumberland, Central Somerset, Coastal Cumberland, Coastal Waldo, Coastal York, Interior Cumberland Highlands, Interior Waldo, Interior York, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Northern Franklin, Northern Oxford, Sagadahoc, Southern Franklin, Southern Oxford and Southern Somerset and New Hampshire, including the following areas, Belknap, Cheshire, Eastern Hillsborough, Interior Rockingham, Merrimack, Northern Carroll, Northern Coos, Northern Grafton, Southern Carroll, Southern Coos, Southern Grafton, Strafford, Sullivan and Western And Central Hillsborough. * WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Cold air on the backside of the system will slow runoff on Thursday and end overland flooding, however river responses could last through the end of the week. * IMPACTS...The combination of rain and snowmelt will result in widespread and potentially significant flooding. The heavy rainfall rates could trigger flash flood conditions. For northern streams river ice is expected to move and could result in ice jam flooding. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A soaking rain of 2 to 4 inches is possible from Wednesday through early Thursday morning. Snowmelt will contribute to the runoff. Additionally there are concerns of shifting river ice in the north. Rivers and streams could rise to significant levels.