Total liquid-equivalent precipitation here since the last report two weeks ago has been a bit more than 2-and-an-eighth inches, leaving conditions unchanged and near normal. Colder than average temperatures (e.g., 8 degrees this morning) and two snowfalls have been accompanied by complete brown-out of local lawns, which long since stopped growing. Fire danger rating remains low. Several announcements about a rapid rise in flu cases indicate that public health is no longer without problems. Winter break for two nearby universities is reflected by noticeably smaller crowds at local restaurants and commercial outlets. Animal activity has slackened noticeably as hibernation has begun.