What weather hazard should you prepare for if rain and snow showers are expected with temperature fluctuations?

Preparing for flooding due to ice jams is particularly important when facing conditions with fluctuating temperatures that cause both rain and snow showers. As temperatures rise and fall, the melting snow and rain can create a sudden surge of water. If the temperature fluctuates enough, it can lead to the formation of ice on rivers and streams, causing the water to back up behind the ice. This blockage can create a dangerous situation where water levels rise rapidly, leading to flooding in surrounding areas.

In these scenarios, the risk of flooding is compounded by the potential for heavy rainfall that can further exacerbate the situation. Ice jams can occur in rivers and streams during late winter and early spring, especially when warm temperatures cause melting to occur, while frozen sections remain intact. Therefore, this hazard is a critical consideration in emergency management when evaluating weather conditions that include both rain and snow with temperature changes.

Other hazards, while relevant in certain weather conditions, do not apply as directly to the specific combination of rain and snow showers with temperature fluctuations as flooding due to ice jams does. For example, thunderstorms are typically associated with warmer temperatures and unstable air masses rather than mixed precipitation. Similarly, extreme temperatures, while serious, do not directly apply in the context of fluctuating temperatures bringing rain and snow