| 12/23/2024 | AK-MS-12 | AK | Matanuska-Susitna |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
| This was another dry week with just 4.4" of snow occurring across one day; temps were seasonal to a bit warm. No moose sightings to report but the wild birds continue to empty my window feeder every day although I am sure they are storing most of the black oilers they take. Our snowpack is around 10" and has been decreasing slowly due to the lack of snow and some rather warm temps. Walking in some areas is 'exciting' as there's a layer of ice beneath maybe 4" of snow which can make staying upright a challenge. We have passed the Winter Solstice and are now beginning the slow climb to more daylight. Even though it may have been a bit warm winter is firmly in control. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CO-BO-596 | CO | Boulder |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| Very little precipitation this month after a very wet November. The snow from two weeks ago has nearly melted. Soil in my yard is somewhat dry, but winter dormant plants look relatively healthy. Water in springs in foothills. Lawns look winter dormant not drought damaged. Temperatures have been higher than normal, drawing down soil moisture. Planning to do some winter watering of trees tomorrow because of the low precipitation this month. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CO-CR-18 | CO | Crowley |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| Starting to get dusty again. Only .05" moisture this month. Exceptionally warm temperatures. Thankfully, very little wind. Coyotes and antelope, very few birds other than magpies and doves. All green is gone except in bar ditches. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CO-DL-54 | CO | Delta |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
| Only 0.01" of precip so far this month. None in the past week. Max and min temps have been 5-10 degrees above normal this past week. Lots of sunshine this past week. Topsoil is cracking. Just a little snow remains on the ground in deeply shaded areas. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CO-EP-408 | CO | El Paso |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| Deciduous trees have dropped completely. Somewhat dry from lack of precipitation. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CO-GR-52 | CO | Grand |
Moderately Dry
|
General Awareness
| To date we've only had 0.06"of precipitation this month. On 12/20 I traveled the Colorado river corridor from Parshall to Grand Lake. I was surprised and shocked how dry it is. Large portions of south facing slopes are snow free. What snow we do have is here because of cold temps. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CT-NL-6 | CT | New London |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
| Up to 5.61" for December so far.
Surface water now "draning on road" runoof (Ledge nearby) and freezing from recent cold snap only happens when there is "extra" moisture in the topsoil. For the Year we are above normal for Rainfall at 54.00 Plus with the bulk falling before Aug. 20th. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CT-NL-19 | CT | New London |
Mildly Dry
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General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
| A half-inch of drizzly rain both Tuesday and Thursday, plus afternoon snow on Sat. aided plants, and didn't deter tourists. The extreme drop into single digits since Sat, did. Winter has arrived with a vengeance. Few small animals around, even fewer birds. Happy holidays!! |
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| 12/23/2024 | FL-MA-17 | FL | Manatee |
Moderately Dry
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General Awareness
Agriculture
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Water Supply & Quality
| It only rained twice in the past 2 months. But that's fairly normal for this time of year. We had just over a half inch of rain since Hurricane Milton. But for the winter season it's nothing to be to concerned with. |
|
| 12/23/2024 | IL-CK-336 | IL | Cook |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| This week, my station received 0.19 inches of precipitation, down from 0.33 inches last week. Over the past four weeks my station has received 0.52 inches of precipitation. Conditions are currently Mildly Dry. There is a thin layer of snow on the ground, making the soil hard to assess. Temperatures have been seasonal, and all plants and trees are dormant. A small ice shelf is forming on the edge of Lake Michigan. The lake level is still very low. This is the lowest that I’ve seen it for the past 10 years or so. I’ve seen lots of geese flying around this week. The squirrels have been chasing each other and searching for food. |
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| 12/23/2024 | IL-DP-178 | IL | Du Page |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
Water Supply & Quality
| Trails/yards are partially covered with snow, but dry in exposed areas. Salt Creek at Elmhurst is 0.5' below average height. |
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| 12/23/2024 | IA-BT-11 | IA | Benton |
Mildly Dry
|
| Had traces of snow that is lingering on roadways though may melt once it warms a little more today. The temp plummets and then recovers from day to day. Lots of wind some days. Ice on the slow moving waterways of the river and ponds. May
end up being a black Christmas. |
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| 12/23/2024 | KY-LN-9 | KY | Lincoln |
Mildly Wet
|
General Awareness
| Mildly wet. Sun out and probably melted a little frost. |
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| 12/23/2024 | MA-NF-1 | MA | Norfolk |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Agriculture
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
Water Supply & Quality
| Conditions have improved after continued frequent precipitation over the past few weeks, especially with shorter term indicators. Ground is now covered with 5 inches of snow after last Friday's storm. Prior to that, the top layer of soil had become moist but is now likely frozen due to the ongoing cold snap. Levels on ponds and lakes are still low but have recovered since the fall. |
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| 12/23/2024 | MI-SW-12 | MI | Shiawassee |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| Not much rain or snow the last two weeks, or even in the last month, really. We have had a couple inches of snow, but less that half an inch of precipitation overall in the last few weeks. Sure, everything may be frozen, and then wet when it melts, but the gut feeling is that it has been dry for quite a while. The metrics indicate that as well. Birds have been active at the feeders, and a lot of deer and small mammals (raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, etc.) have been eating the dropped bird feed - lots of tracks in the snow! Our pumpkins have finally been discovered by the deer too. Rollercoaster of temperatures the last week or so. |
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| 12/23/2024 | MN-LW-5 | MN | Lake Of The Woods |
Near Normal
|
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
| It's winter. Been mostly mild but enough cold days and nights (sub zero lows and highs) for ice fishing to get in full swing. Plenty of days with snow but no big snows that required removel to allow getting around. For ag purposes everything revolves around spring conditions. |
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| 12/23/2024 | MN-MR-20 | MN | Morrison |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
| The lake is frozen over. The lake level is low but not as low as last year at this time. The wet lands on my property are dry. |
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| 12/23/2024 | MN-SH-39 | MN | Sherburne |
Mildly Wet
|
General Awareness
| Cloudy and 25 Hi 31 Wind N 8 mph. Under a severe weather until 12:00. Light rain turning to snow. Possible bad driving conditions. |
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| 12/23/2024 | MT-GN-11 | MT | Gallatin |
Mildly Dry
|
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
Water Supply & Quality
| December has not been productive. First time in 12 years of monitoring I have not observed 100% snowcover on this date. XC skiing on the valley floor is barely possible because of low precip and high temperatures. Regional mountain snowpack is well below historic norms. Saw a herd of ~500 elk taking advantage of the absence of snowpack! |
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| 12/23/2024 | NJ-MS-59 | NJ | Morris |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Agriculture
Business & Industry
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Society & Public Health
Tourism & Recreation
Water Supply & Quality
| Thus far for my “Watershed,” that resides in the “Upper Passaic River” Watershed, that covers from 1.5 miles to the NW to about 1.5 miles to the SE and is about 1 mile in width and in the general shape of a diamond;
There were four days with measurable precipitation and two days with trace precipitation for a total of 1.42”, the past seven days [Sun-Sat]. River and stream volume the past week increased over small lake dams west of this station. As of Sunday morning, 12/22; one was continuing to move at 100% percent the width of the dam 6.5 miles from this station and still at a slow volume with no turbidity. The other, 2 miles to the west, was covering 50% of its respective fall and moving at a similar volume with no observable turbidity. The Madison Golf Course, adjacent this station, winterized its irrigation system and had no observable play but for sledding. The ground around this station is hydrated and frozen to walk on. The first Frost observation for this station, this season, was reported on November 3rd. Since then; I have observed and reported a total of 17 day’s with frost, two additional the past seven days. Grass and weeds remain dormant for the season. Temperatures the past week were around normal high and low values with low temps ranging 18-31 and highs 21-57 degrees. A 25’ tall juvenile oak tree adjacent this station continues to hold onto browned out leaves. House Finch were active this week. No crows were observed. The Song Bird feeder did not require to be refilled the past week and was 90% consumed as of Sunday morning. Still no Dark Eyed Junko’s have been observed this season. No signs of the local rabbit were observed this week. Squirrels were also unseen. No Canadian Geese were observed around town this week, nor hanging out in local ponds. Fox footprints were observed in the SnowPack behind the Rain Gauge.
Over the past 31 days; this station has captured and reported 6.34 inches of precipitation. There have been 132 days of precipitation the previous 348 days of CY2024 [1/1/2024 to 12/28/2024] for a “Calendar Year” total of
53.95”, compared to 123 “Precipitation Days” and a [CY] total of
56.74.” the same [year to date] in CY2023. So far, compared to last year; this station has received 2.79” less precipitation than a year ago. Some other totals from previous years, for comparison, are;
YTD2022- 44.94”
YTD2021- 53.66”
YTD2020- 49.45”
YTD2019- 59.80”
YTD2018- 68.45”
YTD2017- 42.04”
YTD2016- 42.82”
YTD2015- 38.36”
The running ten year average reported precipitation for THIS station is: 51.02” inches, bringing this station to a surplus of 2.93” from the 10 year average. Considering the ten year annual comparable total for this station, is why I believe that it is appropriate to maintain this week’s report on the near normal side of the Condition Scale Bar. Furthermore; this is the third wettest year in ten years of reporting from this station location. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Q’s: email me at: JasonJLeffler@aol.com. |
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| 12/23/2024 | NM-BR-316 | NM | Bernalillo |
Moderately Dry
|
General Awareness
Energy
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Society & Public Health
Tourism & Recreation
Water Supply & Quality
| The extended dry period continues, as it has now been twenty-five days now since we last had any measurable precipitation, and only 0.01” of precipitation has been received in the last thirty-five days. Temperatures stayed above average the entire week and there was little to no wind, causing it to feel more like early spring or fall instead of the beginning of winter. In fact, on the winter solstice, temperatures were 8.5 degrees above average, higher than any day this past week. For the week, as noted, this station once again received no measurable precipitation. For the 2025 WYTD, this station is still at 1.80” against the NOAA normal of 2.97”, which is 61% of normal. As we get close to finishing the 2024 calendar year, we have received 10.97” of precipitation against against the NOAA normal of 13.95”, which is 79% of normal. Overall, temperatures averaged 6.1 degrees above average for the last week, as temperatures were as much as 4.2 degrees above normal early in the week and reached the before mentioned 8.5 degrees above normal on Saturday. Soil moisture has continued to dry out at a fast pace, with the lack of moisture, warm temperatures, and lower humidity and dew point values. Forecasts call for warm temperatures to continue through tomorrow and then a low pressure system that is currently moving into the Four Corners area to push into the state for Christmas Day bringing the a good chance for snow to the higher elevations and a rain/snow mix for the lower elevations, including the Middle Rio Grande Valley and Albuquerque metro area. The storm system should push out of the area by Thursday, with temperatures slightly rebounding, and then another weaker system moving in on Thursday night into Friday bringing another round of a rain/snow mix before temperatures start warming up into the weekend. Short-term we are still in the moderately dry category as the lack of moisture since the beginning of November is having a significant impact on not just the landscape but on snowpack values and ski resorts. Long-term we are still in the mildly dry category based on overall precipitation received going further back. Energy usage was down significantly last week as compared to the previous week, as the warmer, more stable temperatures caused heater usage to be down over the last week. Air quality was in the moderate range for the first part of last week. Air quality has been in the unhealthy range for sensitive populations since Friday. The lack of moisture coupled with the lack of any significant winds has allowed the dust, pollen, and smog to settle into the Middle Rio Grande Valley, not only during the overnight hours but throughout the daytime hours as well. The primary pollutants were fine and coarse particulate matter. Juniper pollen was the primary allergy concern on the east side once again at low levels. The Forest Service has raised the fire danger level to the moderate for all Ranger Districts of the Cibola National Forest. Albuquerque open space areas currently are still open and are under stage 2 fire restrictions in the bosque areas. East Mountain Open Space areas are open and are also under stage 2 fire restrictions as well. Most plants have gone into their dormant stage for the winter. Xeriscape plants received some supplemental water over the weekend due to the lack of long-term moisture and signs of drying out. Trees are also needing supplemental watering due to the lack of moisture and warmer temperatures. Bird activity has picked back up again off over the last week with the more moderate temperatures and calm weather. Rio Grande river flow at the Alameda bridge is at 1,000 cf/s today, which is above sea normal for this day of the year. The flow had been been steady around 550 cf/s until Friday, when it rapidly increased to its current level over about a 24-hour period. Turbidity is at 54.3 FNU today. Turbidity has been sporadic throughout the week. SNOTEL values for the Rio Grande Headwaters and Upper Rio Grande Basin are at 90% and 44% respectively of median today. The San Juan River Basin and the Rio Chama are at 83% and 52% respectively of median today. The Jemez River Basin is at 41% of median today. Snow melt continued to have an impact across all the basins over the last week due to the continued warmer than average temperatures. Northern ski areas are reporting no new snow received over the last 72 hours as high pressure has been locked in over the state for the last week. Most resorts are using snow making guns overnight and are reporting early season conditions with possible thin spots. Check resort websites for conditions and trail access. Aquifer monitoring data for the Middle Rio Grande Basin shows a slight downward tick in the aquifer level at the wells that were reported. |
|
| 12/23/2024 | NM-SF-101 | NM | Santa Fe |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
| Continuing mild temps and no rain or snow. Lots of activity at the birdbath as there is little available moisture except for the few thin patches of snow in deep shade. |
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| 12/23/2024 | NY-SL-21 | NY | St. Lawrence |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
Society & Public Health
| Near Normal, but definitely leering now towards dry as we've just come through a very cold spell (clear, quiet weather with a high pressure system), and the past week's precipitation was overall, light. Basement is a little drier than last week.
One shrub, a lilac, that wasn't looking so good before the winter started, it now feeling worse and starting to sag. I might tie it up. Other than that, no other tree news to note.
Snow reveals tracks and we've got bunnies, squirrels, some dogs, and probably the red squirrel out and about.
Because of the cold spell, allergies are down but risk of nosebleeds is up. Winter dry skin has come to visit. |
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| 12/23/2024 | NY-SF-92 | NY | Suffolk |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| Light rain mixed with snow turning to snow and back to rain a few days earlier. Small animals — rabbits, squirrels — and birds foraging for food. It’s been unusually cold last 2 days with night temperatures into the single digits and teens; soil surfaces are frozen. |
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| 12/23/2024 | NY-WY-11 | NY | Wyoming |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| Partly sunny and cold with a light breeze, then clear and frigid overnight. The high temperature was around thirteen degrees, and the low around two degrees Fahrenheit. Songbirds are eating a feeder full every three days. Intermittent streams are flowing. A large flock of Canadian Geese was seen. |
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| 12/23/2024 | NC-DH-48 | NC | Durham |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| We have received our normal average rainfall in one event from the 9th to the 12th. Any other rainfall has been the icing on the cake so to speak. However, this is not the norm and we have been dry to till then.
The leaves are off most trees and we are in winter mode. The Holly bush has a lot of berries on it.
The birds are flocking to our feeders. A stray hawk or two is looking for some "slow-food"; passing up on any "fast-food". We have seen a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet. |
|
| 12/23/2024 | OK-MY-10 | OK | Mayes |
Mildly Wet
|
General Awareness
| We had no measurable precip this past week, but evaporation was minimal. The ground remains damp, and our neighborhood pond continues to be filled to the brim. |
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| 12/23/2024 | PA-WT-18 | PA | Westmoreland |
Near Normal
|
General Awareness
| totally normal here that I know of... |
|
| 12/23/2024 | TN-BT-9 | TN | Blount |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| We need more rain or a little snow. It has been cold and dry with occasional wind. Top soil is drying. |
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| 12/23/2024 | TX-CMR-85 | TX | Cameron |
Near Normal
|
| not watering |
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| 12/23/2024 | WI-MW-18 | WI | Milwaukee |
Mildly Dry
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
| Below normal temperatures with one day of significant snow, overall dry conditions for the period.
(17 DEC to 23 DEC)
Precipitation for the period was 0.39". -0.10” for the period.
Cal yr 45.93” +11.13” (2nd wettest to date so far) +6.57” above annual seasonal normal.
Snow for period was 5.1”, +2.3”
Snowpack for period was 2.4” with an average of 0.24” snow water equivalent.
Frost Depth, under sod, averaged 1.9” for the period. Peak was 2.0”, min depth was 1.5”
Temperatures averaged 27.4 degrees, -1.0 below normal for the period.
Soil temperatures, for the period, at 2” have averaged 32.4 degrees, 4” average is 34.0 degrees, 8” average is 36.4 degrees and 20” average is 40.0 degrees. +1.4 overall increase, on average, from the past week.
Meteorological Winter is here. Astronomical Winter Solstice occurred this past week. 2.5” snow pack. Birds are frequenting the bird feeder. Winter birds are frequenting at feeder with squirrels and rabbits getting spilled seed.
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|
| 12/23/2024 | CAN-NS-182 | CAN | Nova Scotia |
Mildly Wet
|
General Awareness
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
| For week of 15-21 Dec: (0+ 0+ 0+ 5.2+ 4.0+ 4.0+ 19.2)= 32.4mm (rain/SWE). Mildly Wet. High's: 0C to +11C; Low's: 0C to -10C; Wind: mostly calm, on 18th, rain/wind storm, gusts to 44km/hr; Frost: 3 AM's heavy to light frost. On 18th, wind/rain storm, rain blew all day--Very Wet!! Then it got cold. Snow Fall Warning on 20th, received 12.0cm, snowed all night. With snow on ground now, remaining cold. Snow fell as heavy/wet. Now dry/crusty. Deer will now be in forage mode as ground/grass is fully covered. The shoreline now ice/snow covered. Inlet has frozen surface. Last preps for Christmas. And, we have a SWST for copious snow on Christmas Eve, amounts TBA. |
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| 12/23/2024 | CAN-ON-771 | CAN | Ontario |
Near Normal
|
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
Water Supply & Quality
| Snow machines have started crossing the lake ice. There was a report this week of 8” of crumbly ice that an amphibious vehicle broke through. There is almost a foot of snow on the ground and on bush trails. Colder nights have firmed up the boggier sections. Packed snowshoe trails are now firm enough to transverse with boots. Nordic trails at the club are in great condition. A single pine grosbeak was seen at the feeder. A flock of purple finches, male and female, have been visiting regularly. |
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