Des Moines, IA (Radio Iowa)– Water experts with the National Weather Service in Des Moines have released the first flooding outlook for the upcoming Spring season.

Hydrologist Jeff Zogg says the initial outlook has much of Iowa in good shape when it comes to flooding concerns with the exception of eastern areas of the state along the Mississippi River which is pretty much right in line with the recent past.

Zogg says the existing snow pack is one reason Eastern Iowa is being looked at for some potential flooding issues while western areas continue to deal with ongoing effects of drought.

Flood outlooks like this are looked at as more of a long-term planning thought and does not take sudden changes into account.

The second flood outlook for 2023 will be released next Thursday followed by the third and final update on March 9th.