Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A forecast calling for a prolonged warm-up and a good chance of rain has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Flood Watch for the southeastern corner of Minnesota.

The Rochester area is included in the watch, which also covers Wabasha, Dodge, Mower, Fillmore, Houston, and Winona Counties along with portions of northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin. The watch takes effect Wednesday morning and runs through Thursday evening.

A statement issued by the National Weather Service indicates the deep snow cover in the region is ready to quickly melt and runoff. On top of the water from the melting snow, periods of rain are forecast through Thursday with the potential for around an inch in many locations that will add the flooding threat.

In urban areas, sewer drains and drainage ways clogged with snow and ice could accelerate flooding and ponding of water in intersections and low areas may quickly develop. Forecasters also say there is a significant threat of flooding caused by ice jams on rivers and streams throughout the region.

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