The flood watch is officially on - from now until early June,

"It's a waiting game," said Damon Max, a KSTU-TV meteorologist. "We're going to have to wait and see how fast this will run off. We've been pretty lucky so far. It's been at a measured pace. It's not coming down all at once."

Max was among a group of meteorologists who joined Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. at the National Weather Service offices in Salt Lake City on Tuesday to lay out the situation as the state enters the runoff season in a year in which the snowpack ranges from above normal in northern Utah to record-setting in the south.

Utah so far has been the beneficiary of an unsettled weather pattern in which cool damp conditions have mingled with short sunny stretches. And that is the general forecast for the rest of the month.

Regardless, the pace of the runoff in the state's rivers and streams will pick up in the coming weeks, and a National Weather Service official says the time has come to start using extra caution when near water, especially when supervising children.

"It doesn't matter what the weather is going to be like this spring when it comes to keeping loved ones safe," said Larry Dunn, meteorologist in charge of the Salt Lake City Weather Forecast Office. "There is no question that the streams are going to run high.

"Whether you're in flood [conditions] or not, it's very, very dangerous and the water is very, very cold. Use good judgment."

Essentially, Dunn says, don't underestimate the power of the water. In other words, don't attempt to swim or even cross swollen streams and rivers during the runoff season. It runs faster than you think. And it is cold enough that hypothermia can set in within minutes.

Dunn also urges people to be aware of weather forecasts and conditions, particularly thunderstorm activity - which can quickly increase the water levels in streams and create flash flood conditions in southern Utah's canyon country.

Perhaps most important, he added: "Don't try to drive or walk on a flooded roadway. It only takes 2 feet of water to float your vehicle. Many fatalities occur because of this."

While optimistic that the runoff will come down gradually through much of the state, officials are girding for probable flood conditions in five areas: the south slope of the Uinta Mountains, the upper Sevier River, Coal Creek above Cedar City, the Santa Clara River, which runs through St. George, and the north fork of the Virgin River, which cuts slices through Zion National Park and neighboring Springdale. Forecasters are also keeping an eye on Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, and American Fork Canyon, all of which sport the highest snowpack levels along the Wasatch Front.

"We're trying to make sure we're in front of this, rather than behind it," said Huntsman, who is heading to southern Utah later this week to size up the extent of preparations. "All we can do is try to anticipate as much as possible, and raise public awareness."

That vigilance, says National Weather Service hydrologist Brian McInerney, should be kept up for the next six weeks.

"We'll reach the downside in early June," he said. "That's typically when we've peaked and are in a situation where, even if it rains, it won't generate enough water to be a threat in the rivers and streams. Until then, the jury is out."

jbaird@sltrib.com