Recent dry conditions and a lack of snow cover are having an interesting impact on soil temperature conditions.  Obviously, the lack of snow cover, which usually insulates the soil, has allowed the soil to be exposed and respond to air temperatures.  The lack of moisture in the soil has allowed soil temperatures to respond quickly, also.  The soil temperature plot from Brookings (below) shows how 4-8” soil levels were frozen in early December.  Warmer conditions have thawed the soil again and allowed the temperature to fluctuate more than we would expect during the winter.  In addition the warm air temperatures have kept water bodies from freezing to a great depth.  Open water access is still available in places for animal access to water.

View current soil temperatures