Our first snow of the season in early December was a fine, wet 2 inches. But with temps in the mid-30s and 40s, it was gone before we knew it. Temperatures remained stubbornly high in the high 30s and 40s - even reaching the 50s at times - throughout the month. By Christmas week, only 14.8% of MN had any snow cover. Drought is hard.
We only had a few days this month of below freezing (32F) temps -invigorating, not discouraging on the trails. The rest of the month we had temps consistently 20-25 F higher than average. Early fall forecasts for this time predicted a drier, warmer winter with El Nino disrupting the normal weather patterns.
According to meteorologist Paul Douglas, it is shaping up to be "probably the warmest December on record for most of Minnesota." Climate change also is a factor, with 2023 now the warmest year on record globally. It gives me great pause.
On the positive side, these lingering warm days made for some great hiking days in this prolonged shoulder season. As I've mentioned in a November "I Spy" post, with leaves down and undergrowth dying back, many treasures draw our eyes - from ferns and fungi to hidden rocks and geological features. I am constantly stopping on my hikes to explore, examine and admire.
Also on the plus side, the warmer temps have allowed invasives control work and prairie burns to go longer. Buckthorn eradication work was done in Vetsch Park and Stoney Point in La Crescent by the Natural Resources Advisory group and city staff. The Friends of the Blufflands and Prairie Enthusiasts did a number of burns, seeding and invasives removal across the river in the Wisconsin bluffs. Other groups did the same. It's a never-ending battle so extra days to get this work done makes a huge difference.
Below are some pictures of what I spied on this month's hikes. Happy new year and see you on the trails!
What are YOU noticing on your hikes?
Month of hikes: Vetsch Park, La Crescent MN; Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge, Pine Creek Trail, Trempealeau, WI; La Crosse Marsh trails, La Crosse WI; Riverside Park, La Crosse WI; Pickwick Quarry, La Moille MN; Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Hole in the Rim Trail, Caledonia MN; Yellow River State Forest, Luster Heights trails, Harper’s Ferry IA; Riverside Park, La Crosse WI; Hixon Forest Hickory Trail, La Crosse WI; Snakeroot Rail, Mathy Quarry, La Crosse WI: Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Trout Stream Trail, Caledonia MN; Veteran’s Park, Eagle Bluff access trail, La Crescent, MN
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