MONROE - Thanks to a dump of wet snow Tuesday and Wednesday, precipitation in the area is about on track with normal year-to-date levels.
Last year ended more than 20 inches short of normal precipitation, and more rain and snow is needed this winter and spring to replenish ground moisture lost during the 2012 drought. Almost 38 inches of precipitation fall on the Monroe area in an average year, but last year less than 18 inches did.
The year-to-date precipitation for 2013 is at 3.41 inches, compared to a normal of 2.72. The precipitation in February alone is at 1.12 inches, compared to a normal of 1.41.
Several inches of snow fell on the Monroe area Tuesday and Wednesday.
While this week's snow is a welcome sign for repairing the damage left by last year's drought, slippery conditions across Green and Lafayette Counties did cause dozens of accidents and slide-offs. Neither county's sheriff's department reported injuries from accidents.
In Green County on Tuesday, deputies responded to 16 calls for vehicles in the ditch.
Lafayette County deputies also responded to numerous complaints of vehicles in ditches or stuck in the road as snow fell throughout the county in the afternoon and evening Tuesday. Blowing, drifting snow also caused hazardous travel conditions.
The snow caused New Glarus schools to close Wednesday, and most other districts in Green and Lafayette counties to delay their start time by two hours.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of snow showers Thursday. Temperature highs for Thursday through Sunday will be in the high 20s to low 30s.
Last year ended more than 20 inches short of normal precipitation, and more rain and snow is needed this winter and spring to replenish ground moisture lost during the 2012 drought. Almost 38 inches of precipitation fall on the Monroe area in an average year, but last year less than 18 inches did.
The year-to-date precipitation for 2013 is at 3.41 inches, compared to a normal of 2.72. The precipitation in February alone is at 1.12 inches, compared to a normal of 1.41.
Several inches of snow fell on the Monroe area Tuesday and Wednesday.
While this week's snow is a welcome sign for repairing the damage left by last year's drought, slippery conditions across Green and Lafayette Counties did cause dozens of accidents and slide-offs. Neither county's sheriff's department reported injuries from accidents.
In Green County on Tuesday, deputies responded to 16 calls for vehicles in the ditch.
Lafayette County deputies also responded to numerous complaints of vehicles in ditches or stuck in the road as snow fell throughout the county in the afternoon and evening Tuesday. Blowing, drifting snow also caused hazardous travel conditions.
The snow caused New Glarus schools to close Wednesday, and most other districts in Green and Lafayette counties to delay their start time by two hours.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of snow showers Thursday. Temperature highs for Thursday through Sunday will be in the high 20s to low 30s.