Warm Temp report for Wednesday Sigificant snowpack loss seen.

Snow free Grass showing in the front yard February 17th

We have ended the warm airmass, and now that it has ended it is time to do a final tally of reports. Thursday was not as warm as I expected it to be and since my report has to cover the warmest temps I will cover highs experienced on Wednesday the 16th. It was a partly sunny day, with very warm air surging ahead of a low pressure system. Most areas in these conditions reached there first 50s of the year, including at my location, which will be my new 3 year February record high. A few spots that had more sun warmed as high as the middle 50s!

Snow cover before the big melt February 1st

After the melt February 17th

A significant loss in the snow depth was seen with this air mass, temperatures overnight from the 16th to the 17th were now even below freezing, they in mid 30s with drizzle This is when I feel we lost the most snow. I lost a total of 13 inches of snow, going from 21 inches to 8 inches by the ending of the warm spell. I feel 8 inches is a typical snow pack for this time of year! Many areas of grass can been seen in the yard, and even hilltops, This is the most grass I've seen in 3 months going back to mid November!

Highs reported Wednesday the 16th.

Highs on Wednesday were as warm as the mid 50s in Burnett County which had stronger sun showing through the clouds, areas they were held under a bit thicker cloud cover were a tad cooler. The warmest report was Grantsburg at 56.F, I had to look at that report twice, but both stations in that area recording this! The coolest report was Menomonie at 44.F