Total snowfall across the northern Great Plains and Upper Midwest this winter was above normal but not extreme. The problem was that it stayed cold most of the time, preventing any interim thaws. So the snow just sat there and whatever else fell just piled on.

By the first of March, the snow cover was quite deep and extensive. More importantly, all that built-up snow held great quantities of water which is now being released into rivers and streams. The result is moderate to major flooding from North Dakota to northern Missouri.

The flood waters are expected to impact the lower Mississippi River Valley during the early weeks of spring. The lower Mississippi carries a vast amount of water and can hold its own in most situations. In this case however, major flow contributions from the Ohio, Missouri and upper Mississippi rivers will be too much to handle.

Story by AccuWeather.com Weather Headlines Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:18:31 EST IWS0 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:17:35 EST BEWARE! No Known Cure Spring fever is already spreading rampant across the Ohio Valley and Northeast under bright, sun-filled skies, and during the next three days, it could become an all-out epidemic. Thursday, 60s will be widespread from the Tennessee Valley to southern New England, and 70s are reachable by Saturday.

If you catch the bug, don't worry. It's a good way to go. Enjoy! Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist John Kocet.