The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood warning for the Minnesota River at Morton, affecting Redwood and Renville counties Tuesday.

However, closer to Marshall area, the Redwood River is still well under flood stage levels after numerous rain events within the last two weeks.

According to date from the U.S. Geological Survey, the level of the Redwood River near Marshall rose quickly from Monday night into Tuesday morning. However, even with that rise, the river was at a stage of about 9.8 feet on Tuesday afternoon. Flood stage on the river near Marshall is 14 feet.

Farther downstream, the Redwood River was closer to flood stage, according to the USGS. Near Redwood Falls, the river was at a stage of about five feet, with a flood stage of six feet. River levels were forecast to peak around this evening, and then gradually go down.

Three quarters to an inch of rain fell Monday night over the Minnesota River basin near Morton. Additional rainfall may be possible today, according to the NWS.

The flood warning urged the public to use caution when walking near riverbanks. Motorists were advised to turn around when encountering flooded roads.

Minor flooding was forecast. The river was observed at 20 feet at 8 a.m. Tuesday. It is expected to reach 22 feet early Friday morning. Flood stage is 21 feet.

At 23 feet, Riverside Road and Front Street in North Redwood are flooded.

The Minnesota River at New Ulm was measured at 796.16 feet at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday. The river was forecast to crest at 796.9 feet early May 14. Flood stage is 800 feet.

The city of New Ulm Street Department closed the Minnecon Park Minnesota River access after the river climbed into the lower parking area several days ago.

The Cottonwood River at New Ulm was observed at 7.89 feet at 1 p.m. Tuesday. It is forecast to crest at 9.5 feet this afternoon. Flood stage is 11 feet.

Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River Executive Director Scott Sparlin of New Ulm said more water storage is needed to mitigate agriculture drainage improvements.

“We’re dealing with an altered landscape now. We’ve got to learn how to store more water on the landscape. Water goes through plastic pipe faster than it does through dirt. Cover crops and other best management practices will help,” said Sparlin.

“Our river will show the result of our land practices. Generations of families know we used to have a lot more water on the landscape. We’re starting to get more funding for water storage. Hopefully it continues,” he added.

The Department of Natural Resources Drought Conditions Overview released May 2 reported no remaining drought in south central, southwest and central Minnesota.

In an email released by the NWS Tuesday, Minnesota DNR Climatologist Ken Blumenfeld reported on the spring and summer southern Minnesota weather forecast Tuesday.

“We’re transitioning from a global scale El Nino event that was fueling the warm winter,” said Blumenfeld.

“Based on historical potential, what happens following a strong El Nino gives potential for high impact spring and summer storms from the end of May into June and July,” he added.

Blumenfeld said most of the southern U.S. jet (stream) has been to the south of us, but soon, it will slowly progress north.

Samantha Trellinger, NWS meteorologist in Sioux Falls, S.D., said spring weather this year has been more active in southwest and south central Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa compared to last year.

“Sioux Falls had a few thunderstorms Monday night. We’ve had 1.35 inches of rain already in May. We were in drought the last couple years, but not right now. If we don’t continue getting rain, we’ll go back into drought,” Trellinger said.

She said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center forecasts above normal precipitation and normal temperatures for southern Minnesota in May and slightly above average temperatures and average precipitation for May, June and July.

“There were a few tornadoes in Iowa in April. Most of the damage was to outbuildlings,” she added.

Climate scientists say the 2023-24 El Nino event, made more powerful by the climate change crisis, will likely raise average global temperatures beyond the record set in 2016 — and will set new temperature records in 2024.