We dodged the worst of the blizzard early last week with only 4.5 inches of snow. Some additional snow later in the week brought the weekly total SWE to 0.4 inches, leaving February with 57% of normal precipitation. Warm days at the end of the week reduced the snowpack by several inches, but more than a foot remains and conditions appear near normal for the end of February. Colder temperatures today have put a crust on the snowpack that is now strong enough to support coyotes and smaller animals. Deer are still breaking through. The first aromas of spring have arrived with skunks becoming active. Mt Greylock trails have benefited from the additional snow, though snowmobile churn in the warmer weather resulted in slush that has now frozen. Bright sunshine and warmer days are continuing to reduce the ice and snow cover on brooks and streams and the snow bridges I use to cross Bassett Brook on snowshoes are collapsing.