Conditions are still somewhat dry but within the near normal range for this time of year. I received 0.05 inch of rain here this week. Temperatures were 15 to 20 degrees above normal this week with high temperatures in the mid to upper 50s (except for one day in the upper 40s). Low temperatures ranged from mid 30s to low 40s. The ground remained thawed this week allowing rain to soak in. Soil temps on December 24th were 46 degrees F at 2 inches and 36 degrees F at 8 inches at 3:30 PM; and 43 degrees F at 2 inches and 37 degrees F at 8 inches at 5:15 PM. Precipitation here for December here is 0.37 inch, which is 0.77 inch below normal (33 percent of normal). Total precipitation for the year here is 98 percent of normal (0.81 inch below normal). Precipitation for the water year is 1.45 inch below normal (71 percent of normal).

Plants and wildlife. 
The soil is moist near the surface and the grass is green in most locations. 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 normal. Area creeks and ponds are slightly below normal (about 1 foot below the normal average.