Total precipitation for our station this past week was 0.08 inches with 0.7 inches of snowfall (all from this Saturday evening thru 7:00 am Sunday morning). There was some light snow falling after the 7:00 am measurement this morning and into the early afternoon. For the month of January (thru 7:00 am this Sunday morning), we have had 0.52 inches of total precipitation and 4.4 inches of snowfall. Snowpack depth this morning is 7.2 inches with a snow water equivalent (melted value) of 1.49 inches. The snow feels frozen below the top 1 inch or so layer of the most recent snowfall with some ice near the ground. It is fairly easy to walk on and do not sink into the snow pack all that much compared to earlier in the winter season given the frozen snowpack. Temperatures have ranged from a high of 21°F this Saturday to a low of -19°F below zero Monday night at the beginning of the week. The past week saw a transition from extreme cold and ice to the current light snow showers with more moderate temperatures in the 20s. As is typical for mid-winter in Minnesota, fields and local flora remain dormant. Wildlife activity is concentrated on winter survival. Tracking events in Anoka County Parks this week noted sightings of deer, turkeys, and foxes in the snow. Residents have been warned to secure bird feeders, as nuisance reports of bears waking early or seeking easy calories often increase during late-winter temperature fluctuations. We have spotted the occasional owl in our neighborhood during the day in addition to the northern cardinals, chickadees, juncos, woodpeckers, nuthatches, blue jays, and crows. Winter sports are in full swing while the Anoka County Parks system encouraged Winter Exploration this week, with active trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Snowmobilers are occasionally spotted in our area. Anoka County observed Winter Salt Week starting January 26, an initiative by the Highway Department to educate residents on reducing chloride use while neighboring City of Ramsey continues to monitor manganese levels in the regional aquifer. Wildland fire risk is low with no permit generally required for open burning of landscape debris with the current snow cover. We are ending the week with highs in the mid 20s and overnight lows around 10°F, mostly cloudy skies with light snow in the morning and flurries throughout the day, good air quality, and winds from the northwest around 12 mph. The big and bright full moon was clearly visible this past week with some clear skies before sunrise. Conditions are mildly dry to normal with total snowfall higher this January compared to the past couple years but lower than the 30 year average.