Total precipitation for our station this past week was 0.11 inches with no snowfall. The total for April is 1.30 inches while YTD we’ve had 4.51 inches of total precipitation and 15.0 inches of total snowfall. The past week in Oak Grove was characterized by a cool but exceptionally dry transition into spring. Following the warmest March on record for the contiguous United States, April has continued the trend of an early spring. While early morning temperatures dipped as low as 12°F on Tuesday, April 7, daytime highs generally trended toward the 50s°F and 60s°F later in the week with highs approaching 80°F this Sunday. Overall, the region is experiencing a spring leaf-out that is approximately 16 days earlier than the long-term average. According to the USDA NASS reports from early April, the 2026 growing season is off to an accelerated start as farmers have begun early field preparations. Topsoil moisture has been a concern due to a very dry Jan - March period, but some tillage and the planting of small grains like oats have commenced. Vegetation in Oak Grove is rapidly waking up. The USA National Phenology Network indicates that the First Leaf Index reached Anoka County this week. Silver maples are in bloom, and early spring ephemerals are emerging in wooded areas. However, the lack of significant rainfall this week has slowed the green-up of lawns and pastures compared to the rapid bud-break on trees, such as the pollen cones of Eastern Red Cedars. The Common Buckthorn in our area are now leafing out above the damp soil from overnight light rainfall with some greening of fields. The week of April 7 highlights a surge in migratory activity. Eastern Bluebirds and American Woodcocks have been sighted in the Oak Grove area. Resident wildlife, such as Wood Ducks, are actively seeking nesting cavities. Additionally, the first calls of Boreal Chorus Frogs and Spring Peepers were noted in local wetlands as evening temperatures began to moderate. Mid-sized ground dwellers like Woodchucks (Groundhogs) and Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels (the Minnesota Gopher) have fully emerged from their winter burrows. They are currently active during the warmer midday hours, focusing on feeding on early-season grasses and establishing breeding territories and we occasionally see woodchucks during rain measurements in the early morning. Local tracking data from the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (bordering Oak Grove) indicates high activity for Masked Shrews, Meadow Voles, and Deer Mice. These animals are no longer restricted to subnivean (under-snow) tunnels and are frequently seen in the leaf litter. Both Red Fox and Coyotes are in a period of high movement, often utilizing field edges and travel corridors between wooded patches. White-tailed Deer are frequently spotted in open fields during the evening as they transition from winter diets to the first emerging green shoots. Common Garter Snakes have emerged from their communal hibernacula and will become a common sight on sunny afternoons in the coming weeks along with Painted Turtles basking on floating debris as they absorb UV light and heat after months of dormancy in the mud. The Mourning Cloak butterfly, which hibernates as an adult in hollow logs or under bark, was active during the week's 50°F+ afternoons. These butterflies are often found on the ground or on tree trunks feeding on sap. The Rum River remains navigable, though water levels are lower than typical for mid-April due to the lack of significant snowpack melt this year. While no specific local water quality alerts were issued for Oak Grove this week, the broader hydrological context is one of moderate concern. The region entered April with below-normal groundwater levels following a record-dry winter. As of April 12, 2026, Anoka County is under Restricted Burning status with variance permits only. The combination of dry, dormant vegetation (dead grass) and low humidity has created a high potential for fast-moving wildfires. Energy demand this week was balanced with no major reported grid disruptions or utility updates from local providers. The primary restriction currently in effect for Oak Grove is the DNR Spring Burning Restriction. Open burning of brush or yard waste is prohibited without a specific variance permit until green-up is more complete and the fire danger subsides. April 2026 has seen a much more rapid transition into spring than April 2025, with leaf-out and migratory arrivals occurring approximately two weeks earlier due to record-breaking warmth in the preceding month. We are ending the week with highs near 80°F, mostly cloudy skies during the day turning clear overnight, moderate air quality, and winds from the southwest at about 10-20 mph. Update to last week’s note: The photo shows a low marker, and the trail behind the camera is now dry after the opposite pond dropped by over a foot. Water flow is almost non-existent, and the water level is lower than it was this time last year.