The U.S. government issued its annual spring outlook Thursday, predicting that dry conditions that have parched California and the southwest will continue with little relief, and moderate flooding is possible around the Great Lakes area of the north-central United States. Government forecasters say if the western drought persists, it likely will lead to a busy wildfire season. Much of the country remains stuck in winter, delaying the risk of spring flooding into April in the central and northeastern parts of the country. While major flooding is not expected, experts say there is a moderate risk of flooding in the southern Great Lakes region because of above-average snowpack.
