I received 0.05 inch of precipitation with 0.6 inch snow on January 24 and conditions are drying out. I rate this week as mildly dry. Temperatures were generally about normal this week except for January 21, which was about 13 degrees above normal and January 23 and 24, which were more than 20 degrees below normal, with highs in the single digits and lows below zero. The ground remained frozen solid. Precipitation here for January is now 1.11 inch, which was 0.47 inch above normal (174 percent of normal). Precipitation for the water year is 1.03 inch below normal (82 percent of normal).

Plants and wildlife. 
The soil is dry near the surface and the grass is remains brown due to the cold weather and frozen soil. Bird visits to the heated bird bath have increased this week due to the cold weather and dry conditions, with approximately 25 species of birds (about 140 to 150 birds each day). 

Water Supply
Water level in Standing Bear Lake (approximately 0.2 mile to the east of here) is slightly below normal. Area creeks and ponds are also slightly below normal.