Total precipitation for our station this past week was 0.02 inches with 0.36 inches for the month of January. Total snowpack depth this morning is 6.0 inches with a snow water equivalent (melted value) of 1.52 inches. Temperatures have ranged from a high of 43°F on Tuesday to a low of -5°F below zero this Saturday. The past week in Oak Grove was characterized by a steady transition from seasonal temperatures to significant winter cold. The week was relatively dry with mostly cloudy to clear skies; however, light snow flurries occurred mid-week, maintaining a thin but persistent snow pack. Agricultural activity is currently in winter dormancy with fields remaining fallow or covered in cover crops. Native deciduous trees and perennials are fully dormant. White-tailed deer are moving in yarding patterns to find shelter in wooded areas. Bird activity at feeders remains high, featuring northern cardinals, dark-eyed juncos, and chickadees. Ice thickness on local lakes has improved significantly with the recent cold snap, with reports averaging 11–14 inches in the region. Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails in the Oak Grove area are currently rated as poor to fair. While the ground is frozen, there is an insufficient snow base for consistent grooming, leading to icy snow and dirt conditions on many stretches. The water supply remains stable with no reported shortages. The fire danger level is low given the combination of snow cover and high humidity that has virtually eliminated the risk of wildland fires. Energy demand peaked this weekend due to the extreme cold. Energy suppliers implemented interim rate increases, but no significant local outages were reported during the week's cold front. Compared to the prior year, January 2026 has been consistently colder due to La Niña conditions, whereas January 2025 was near-normal in temperature but featured a more extreme, record-breaking cold snap during the third week of the month. We are ending the week with highs in the low 10s and overnight lows of about -5°F below zero, cloudy skies with flurries in the morning and about 0.75 inches of snow possible this afternoon, good air quality, and a fresh breeze from the northwest of around 20 mph. A Cold Weather Advisory was issued for Anoka County starting at 9:00 p.m. this evening (Sunday, Jan 18) and is scheduled to remain in effect until noon on Monday. Wind chills are expected to drop significantly during this period.