This past week can best be described as wintery; measurable snow occurred within every 24 hour period, temperatures began the week well below freezing and, other than a fleeting thaw mid-week, turned even colder. High winds were frequent which certainly reduced the accuracy of snow data. Anyone with a snowblade mounted on their pickup could be kept busy all week. Many area schools were cancelled Tuesday and Friday and probably would have been on Monday had it not been a holiday. Wintery weather reduced traffic but still caused numerous problems ranging from single vehicle slide-offs to a 100+ vehicle pileup on I-196 in the Hudsonville Area. Slick roads were one problem but zero visibility at times from heavy blowing snow was often the greater hazard. On Monday, Lake Michigan was freezing near the shoreline. By Friday, the Lake was frozen for as far out as visible. The St. Joe River in Berrien County froze solid this week. Curiously, Hickory Creek continues to flow. The full range of outdoor recreation activities are available for anyone willing to tolerate high winds and biting temperatures. Utility bills are straining due to single-digit temperatures. Again, data are suspect due to very high winds accompanying snow events but are as follows: gauge catch 0.56 inches; snowboard 10.9 inches; SWE 0.85 inches; snowpack average 6.5 inches but undisturbed ground remains 100% snow covered (was 5 inches on Monday morning). Overall, conditions are about normal but the potential for wetter conditions is present in the snowpack, should a thaw arrive.