High temperatures were 25 to 30 degrees above normal this week, with low temperatures near normal to 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Soil temperatures at 2 inches depth warmed to 65 degrees at 3 PM today. The ground is frozen at a depth of 8 inches. No measurable precipitation was recorded this week and there has not been snow cover for nearly a month and that was only 0.5 inch of snow depth. The soil is drying out. The soil surface is dry and powdery in bare areas. There is little moisture to a depth of 4 inches. I rate this week as mildly dry.  I have received only 0.01 inch of precipitation for February (0.52 inch below normal, or 2 percent of normal). Precipitation here for the year is now 1.15 inch, which is 0.17 inch below normal (87 percent of normal). Precipitation for the water year is 1.67 inch below normal (74 percent of normal).

Plants and wildlife. 
The soil is dry near the surface and the grass is remains brown due to the dry conditions. Bird visits to the heated bird bath remained steady this week due to the dry conditions, with approximately 25 species of birds (about 150 to 160 birds each day). 

Water Supply
Water level in Standing Bear Lake (approximately 0.2 mile to the east of here) is approaching 2 feet below normal. Area creeks and ponds are about two feet below normal.