Phenology

Observations by Gary Fewless for Green Bay WI (Lat.N 44.51° Long. W 88.02° ), except as noted. For flowers lacking conspicuous petals or sepals I define "anthesis" as release of pollen by mature anthers.

February 2006

Observations by Gary Fewless, except as noted

Date	Observation (Click on links for photos)
Feb 28	The snow has melted to the point that bare spots are conspicuous in plowed fields and wherever the blowing snow left thin spots. Crows are also conspicuous in flocks, scavenging for food and making a lot of noise. It sounds better than blowing and drifting (Green Bay).
Feb 27	A cultivated species of Aspen in my yard (that I have never been able to identify) has begun to open its aments (catkins).
Feb 24	Wisbirdnet reports a sandhill crane back in southwestern Outagamie County.
Feb18	Low temperature of -17 F in Green Bay with enough wind to limit outdoor activities for most people. The coldest day of the year with temperatures close to -10 F at noon.
Feb 17	Arctic air moves in after the big storm bringing a low temperature of -9° F today -- our coldest temperature this winter to date.
Feb 16	What a difference a day can make. Green Bay received 13.1 inches of snow today--the largest one-day snowfall ever for the month of February. With average winds in mid 20's and gusts to 49 mph there was considerable drifting of snow and virtually all schools were closed and most functions were cancelled. No word on the flowering Crocus from yesterday. As is often the case, as the big storm passes it will be followed by a large mass of arctic air and the coldest temperatures of the year are forecast for the coming weekend (Feb 18 and 19th).
Feb 15	30 inches from south side of house three crocus are blooming with others showing buds (Dave Parsons) [about 3 blocks from UWGB campus].
Feb 13	Maple trees on UWGB campus by the golf course and Weidner center were running sap where they had been pruned!!!! (Dave Parsons)
Feb 10	I smelled my first skunk of the new year yesterday on Huron Road by the woods just west of the new YWCA (Mike Morgan).
Feb 07	Green Bay's low temperature of 8 °Fis the lowest since Dec 21. The lowest temperature of January was 14° F.
Feb 01