Planting delays could be a strong possibility as the National Weather Service in Hastings said the 30 and 90 day forecast calls for slightly below normal temperatures and slightly above normal precipitation.

Also, because of the continued cold temperatures and heavy snow this year, NWS Hastings Hydrologic service area outlook for south central Nebraska this outlook, including the Platte, Loup, Little Blue and Republican Rivers and their tributaries, said many rivers in south central Nebraska have been running above normal this winter due to the increased precipitation since last fall with elevated river levels most notable within the Platte and Loup River Basins as water flow from ice free areas to the west converges with the ice covered areas to the east.

NWS said this elevated flow is expected to continue on the Platte River downstream of Grand Island and throughout much of the Loup River Basin.

“While the risk for flooding due to snowmelt is low, flooding concerns due to ice action and ice jamming remains a possibility well into March on the lower Loup and Platte Rivers,” NWS report said. “The Loup River tends to be the most troublesome river for ice jams, especially downstream of St. Paul. Flooding may also result if additional heavy snow or rain were to occur through mid-March. Rocky Mountain snowpack is generally below normal and is not expected to add enough flow to the Platte River to cause flooding.”

The worst ice jam conditions are expected to be in the Lower Loup River Basin from Genoa downstream, and the Lower Platte River Basin from Columbus downstream, the NWS reports.