For the week ending 12/17/2017, conditions were MILDLY DRY. The 7-day moving precipitation total of 0.29 inches was 62% below the 8-year (2009-2016) average of 0.76 inches for this date and in the “mildly dry” range; the 30-day total of 3.03 inches was 2% below the 8-year average of 3.08 inches and in the “near normal” range; and the 90-day total of 15.73 inches was 77% above average and in the “mildly wet” range. Snow was responsible for 100% of total precipitation this week. There was a total of 4.4 inches of new snow this week, with a maximum snow depth of 5.0 inches (on the 12th). Temperatures continued to plummet this week as winter weather continued, ranging from 41 (on the 16th) to 7 (on the 14th) degrees F, with average Hi/Lo temperatures of 33/20 F. Overall, the average high temperature was 8 degrees cooler than last week, and the average low temperature was 7 degrees cooler than last week. Snow or ice cover all but the extreme lower end of Crescent Lake. Small numbers of Mallards and Canada Geese continue to occupy the tiny patch of open water at the inlet to Crescent Lake, while Coyote tracks are numerous on the snow-covered surface of the lake. The first Song Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow (one each) of the winter season were noted on the 16th.