By Don Abresch // 2020-08-25
Originally published in April 2019 in Vol. 2, Issue 1 of Earthworks newsletter.
Numerous snowfall records were broken this year. February 2019 has been the 4th all-time snowiest on record with 39”. Normal season snow totals in Minneapolis are 54.2”, the metropolitan area is presently 12.5” ahead of that, with traditionally heavy snows expected in March.
“Extreme” may be the operative word to describe MN weather in 2019, record breaking snows, rapid melting and anticipated flooding. As of 12 Feb, all 87 counties in MN are under the gun for stormy weather, blizzard warnings in the north, and flash flood watches in the south. Yet spring marches on. April will see temperatures in the 50’s, and what is left of the snow-pak will melt rapidly.
Erosion Control crews will need to react quickly and intentionally, as construction sites go from frozen tundra, to a muddy mess. Collaboration with site Superintendents, Stormwater Inspectors, and Erosion Control crews, to identify known trouble spots, will aid in the execution of timely repairs.
References
Joe Nelson Weather Now, National Weather service, Eric Sorenson, WQAD 8