FORT COLLINS — A Colorado weather expert says several weeks of dry weather have reduced the risk of flooding from Colorado’s deep mountain snows.

State Climatologist Nolan Doesken (DUSS’-ken) said Monday the deep snow is a cause for concern but the threat has decreased.

Doesken says Colorado’s snow usually melts off gradually as warm temperatures work their way up to high elevation, reducing the chance of floods.

Major flooding becomes more of a threat when snow melts quickly.

Doesken says not all of Colorado has benefited from deep snow. Much of the Eastern Plains have been dry since last summer.

He says recent storms have reduced the threat of drought but the area still needs spring storms to keep from drying out again.