General Awareness
Conditions are somewhat dry but still in the near normal range for this time of year. We received 0.4 inch of snow this week (on December 13). Total snow depth is currently 0.5 inches with a snow water equivalent of 0.02 inches. Temperatures were below normal this week except for December 9, when it reached 53 degrees here. Low temperatures were below zero again this morning, with a reading of -2 degrees Fahrenheit. The ground froze this morning again after thawing on Wednesday. Soil temps on Wednesday December 9 were 37 degrees at a depth of 2 inches and 39 degrees at 8 inches. Precipitation here for December is 0.08 inch, which is 0.49 inch below normal (14 percent of normal). Total precipitation for the year here is 98 percent of normal (0.53 inch below normal). Precipitation for the water year is 1.17 inch below normal (73 percent of normal).

Plants and wildlife. 
The soil is wet near the surface and the grass in areas not covered with snow is green in most locations. The soil is frozen again after thawing Wednesday December 9. Approximately 90 percent of my yard is snow covered (small areas near my house are not covered). The area of woods behind me are covered with snow. Bird visits to the bird bath have remained steady this week, with approximately 20 species of birds (about 100 to 120 birds each day). 

Water Supply
Water level in Standing Bear Lake (approximately 0.2 mile to the east of here) is about 1 foot below normal. Area creeks and ponds are also slightly below normal.