The week started with high and low temperatures 15 degrees below normal. Temperatures warmed to 70 degrees Thursday, nearly 30 degrees above normal. The soil has thawed since the snow from last week’s snowstorm melted and the soil temperature at 2 inches depth had warmed to 45 degrees and 42 degrees at a depth of 8 inches on February 26 at 6 pm. With the snow cover melted, the ground is drying up again. Conditions are mildly dry. February precipitation was 0.71 inch (0.28 inch below normal, or 72 percent of normal). Precipitation here for the year is now 1.85 inch, which is 0.01 inch above normal (101 percent of normal). Precipitation for the water year is 1.49 inch below normal (78 percent of normal).

Plants and wildlife. 
Bird visits to the heated bird bath remained steady this week due to the snow cover earlier in the week and limited sources of water as most of the snowmelt soaked into the ground. Approximately 25 species of birds (about 150 to 160 birds visit each day). 

Water Supply
Water level in Standing Bear Lake (approximately 0.2 mile to the east of here) is approximately 1.5 to 2 feet below normal. Area creeks and ponds are also about 2 feet below normal.