[Thu 2/1/26 – Sat 2/28/26, rural Central Oregon High Desert – near normal]
Measurable precipitation for the month of Feb totaled 1.71 inches, and was comprised mostly of rain.  Snow fell only five days this month – the deepest of which measured only 0.6” – for a “new” snow total of 2.6” for the month.  While the amount of precip is relatively normal for the month of Feb. at this location, it occurs more often in the form of snow rather than rain like we have had.  Both daytime lows and highs were higher than normal for this month.  Several nights this month, the heat was not turned up as it normally would have been, and passive solar sufficed for heat for several more days  Mid-month, a few flies even flew into the house!  Green grasses on the terrain (and even my lawn!) attest to winter growth, and I fear considerable understory growth this winter will increase the amount of available wildfire fuels in the area.  And the nearby mountains have had an equally concerning lack of snow which has virtually ruined the winter recreation there, as well as caused concern for summer wildfire risk there and well-water levels here  The local deer population appears to be thriving, given the easy access to food.  The overwinter garden vegetables (both the greenhouse and the plastic covered raised bed boxes) continue to provide a continuous supply of salad and dinner greens from the greenhouse.