Nearing year end with weather and climate seemingly normal, which in this part of the world covers a huge list of possible weather conditions.  Snow was a bit late coming which extended the fall through November, which has been described as a "bonus month" for those of us that live in rural areas and have seen this season so many years. Until two weeks ago, our snow depth was showing 4 inches and now, the 22nd of December is is 12 inches.  Much better snow cover and the rain that came with the last two storm events added to the winter moisture.  There was a period of time in November tha water bodies had frozen over and there was no snow on the ground. Wild life would be trying hard to be hydrated I expect, but there was adequate frost on the vegetation most mornings which I think would have kept them going. Roads and highways had been snow free until the second week in December and only have been problematic in the Southern parts of the prairie where each storm event brings rain to the South and snow North of the trans Canada highway. This farm received over an inch of moisture during the two storm events in December so far.