DENVER (AP) -- Colorado residents are bracing for floods as record mountain snows begin to melt, but authorities say it's too early to predict when or where rivers will overflow their banks.
State climatologist Nolan Doesken says extended warm weather could melt the snow quickly and fill mountain streams with surging runoff, but alternating cool and warm spells could make the runoff more gradual.
Colorado Flood Task Force chairman Tom Browning says he's more concerned about flooding now than he has been all season.
Minor flooding was reported this week on the Yampa River in the Steamboat Springs area of northwest Colorado.
Mountain snow depths are averaging 247 percent of normal statewide.
The forecast calls for cooler, seasonal weather over the weekend, but next week could bring warm temperatures.
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