Flood outlook favorable for Red River Valley

The flood outlook for the Red River in eastern North Dakota is focusing on a word that hasn't been used much by the National Weather Service in recent years: minor.

Figures released Thursday show the chances for minor flooding along the river at less than 33 percent in most areas. Fargo has a 53 percent chance of minor flooding, which would likely shut down only a few roads and paths. There's a 6 percent chance of major flooding in North Dakota's largest city.

The weather service cites favorable snowpack and frost conditions as key factors.

Residents in Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minn., have endured major flooding the last three springs.

The weather service says there's only a slim chance that Devils Lake will reach a record level this summer.

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