General Awareness
Conditions are back to near normal with 1.26 inches of rain this week. Many areas are greening up again but there are some areas in full sun that still somewhat brown and dry. Temperatures have been near normal. Precipitation for October is 0.31 inch above normal (133 percent of normal). Total precipitation for the year here is 103 percent of normal (0.95 inch above normal). 

Plants and wildlife. 
Soil is moist at the surface in shady and part sun areas and dry in full sun areas. Generally, soil is slightly moist to a depth of 3 inches. Grass and other vegetation are a mix of green and brown depending upon sun exposure and water needs. Bird visits to the bird bath have decreased slightly this week, with approximately 20 species of birds (about 70 to 80 birds each day). Mosquito populations have decreased, and are below normal for this time of year. There are still a few monarch butterflies and several native species of butterflies, but numbers are declining. The number and variety of butterflies have substantially decreased this week.

Water Supply
Water level in Standing Bear Lake (approximately 0.2 mile to the east of here) has slightly increased and is near normal. Area creeks and ponds are also near normal.

Society and Public health
Canadian and western U.S. “wildfire” smoke or haze has been a little less this week this week with improving air quality. Skies have been blue to slightly milky light blue with diffuse sunlight when clear or partly cloudy.