DECEMBER 2008 WEATHER & PHENOLOGY IN REVIEW

From the North Shore of Little Rock Lake

Jim Hovda, Rice MN 56367-0265   jhovda.rice@jetup.net

 

WEATHER LAST DEC:      Warmer and less snow.  The average low was only +.71 degrees (F).  Seventeen days the temp went below zero.   The coldest day was on the 22nd when the mercury dipped to a -22.6 degrees below zero. (F)    The first half of the month was very cold.  Only the 2nd saw a low temp above zero.  The most snow fell on the 2nd when 6.1" fell.  We ended the month with 12.8" and 12.9" for the snow season.    The precipitation year ended with a total of 24.66" for 2007.

 

WEATHER:      Records were set this month.   First, the bitter cold.  Eighteen days saw the low temp fall below the zero mark.  During the last twenty days of the month the low temp only climbed above zero four times.   The recorded low was on the 25th when the digital thermometer dropped to a -26.6 degrees below zero (F).  The average low for the month  was a chilly -4.02 degrees (F) below zero.   The lowest in at least twelve years.   The average high for the month was 20.71 degrees.  About average.  I am afraid to look at the next LP gas bill..... 

       Snow.  More snow.  Then more snow.  No less than 29.1" for the month.  A new record here.  The old record occurred in 1968 when St. Cloud received 25.4".  No super snows.  Jjust lots of snow occurring on 17 days.  The most fell on the 30th when 10.9" fell.   Not a lot of moisture with this storm.  Only .49".   (The weather forecasters originally predicted 4" - 6".)  The second record set this month was the 2.16" of precipitation for the month.  The old record of 2.04" was set in 1969.  So far this snowfall season has garnered 29.7" of the white stuff.  At the end of the month 14.2" of snow was on the ground.   The total precipitation for 2008 was 31.83.  About four inches above normal.   Where are we headed???  

 

WEATHER RECORDS:       The local temp, snowfall and precipitation records are already noted.  The state record for the coldest temp was -57 degrees (F) below zero  in 1898 in the small town of Pokegama Dam while the warmest temp was 74 degrees (F) in Weaton in 1939.   That folks, is a whopping 131 degrees difference in the two extremes.  During the period of the 9th of November 1943 to the 26th of January 1944 we were in the middle of the longest dry spell in MN lasting 79 days occurring in Beardsley, Canby, Marshall and Dawson. 

 

PHENOLOGY:      Last month I said that winter was fast approaching.  Boy, was I right.   Lots and lots of winter.   The Little Rock Lake freeze-up last month on the 22nd held.  With lots of cold and snow, cars ventured on the lake by the 22nd.   Probably sooner on the south end of the lake.  With lots of snow and cold, the curly leaf pond weed issue that has plagued Little Rock Lake may have a nature solution.  The weed seeds need sunlight to prosper.  The large ground heaves that sometimes occur on some shore properties will probably not happen as the insulation from the snow will really help stop this phenomenon.

      The normal population of winter birds at the feeder and suet are here.   Hairy, Downy, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers are attacking the suet in good numbers.   A pair of pileated visit my large chunk of suet every day or so.  A new resident, a female Common Grackle has been a regular visitor.   Finding this sighting difficult, I called the noted naturalist Jim Gilbert to check.  He informed me that tho not common, some do hang around if the food is plentiful.  I hope the poor thing can make it thru January.     A large Red-tailed or Red-shouldered Hawk has been working on a couple of my hanging deer carcass’.   A Red-shouldered was here last winter for a couple of months.    The Sharp-shinned Hawk paid several visits to the feeder.  It was not looking for suet or bird seed.   The small song birds took off with lots of fear in their flight.   They would rather be eaters than eaten!!!  Twenty-two wild turkeys made a couple of ventures to North Freedom Road then ran into the woods when I approached.   The heated bird bath is a popular place for both birds and squirrels.   Water is a very important commodity in the winter to help the birds and critters survive the cold. 

       Observations or items related to the heavens in December:    On the 11th our full moon was only 221,564 miles away.  (At perigee 10:37 A.M.)  Winter solstice occurred at 6:04 A.M. on the 21st.  The next day, the days started, ever slowly, getting longer.  By the 31st we gained almost five minutes of daylight.   

 

NATURE NOTE:     Red (or Northern) Cardinals mate for life.  Jim Gilbert, WCCO Radio 07 December 08.