MONROE - Temperatures in Monroe reached almost 60 degrees over the weekend as the latest example of mild winter weather brought on by the ongoing global El Niño event.
According to a National Weather Service climate advisory issued last week, El Niño will continue until late spring 2016, bringing above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation to the northern United States.
The advisory also noted that this year's El Niño event is among the three strongest such events recorded since 1950.
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Monroe area's average temperature for the month of November was 42 degrees, a 12-degree increase from last year.
The high temperature Sunday was 59, 25 degrees above the normal high of 32 for that date.
On the other hand, Monroe also received 4.08 inches of precipitation in November, the highest precipitation for the month in the last five years.
City projects continue
The warm temperatures have been helping the city move ahead with projects.
Public Works Director Colin Simpson has seen patch work, and other projects that are usually put on hold for the winter, go forward in December.
According to The Weather Channel, the month began at an average, but on Dec. 4 the temperature jumped and continued to stay above the average of 34 degrees. These spring-like conditions of temperatures in the 40s and even 50s have helped street crews continue to get work done in Monroe.
"Every day helps," Simpson said. "Potholes, cement patches - some of that we would normally be doing in the spring. The weather has been a tremendous help."
The biggest help the unusually mild weather has provided is the lack of freezing within the ground. Simpson said one of the main problems the city deals with is the ground freezing and subsequent thawing, which causes damage to water mains and roads. It hasn't happened yet, and Simpson said he hopes that once the ground is frozen, it remains that way until the spring thaw gives way to the summer season.
The city is still ready to go for winter after having to ensure all equipment was able to hit the streets during the first snowfall, which accumulated in Monroe before Thanksgiving.
Simpson said the disadvantage of the warmer conditions is the continued need for street sweeping. Because of fairer weather, the department has had to continue street sweeping and cleaning up debris such as leaves and compostable materials within the city.
Ag drawbacks
Although a milder winter may be more convenient for people, the warmer weather can pose a detriment to agriculture in the region.
Mark Mayer, Green County University of Wisconsin-Extension agriculture agent, said that while the warmer weather may have positive affects later in the season, currently there are few benefits to agriculture.
"Right now, it's too wet for people to go finish the harvest," Mayer said. "Fortunately, the harvest is about 90 percent done, but it would be preferable for the water in the ground to freeze."
Mayer added that the warmer weather has allowed insects that would ordinarily be killed by the cold to continue thriving.
As the days grow warmer, the difference in temperature between night and day becomes more pronounced, which Mayer said can be harder for livestock, especially younger animals, to adapt to than a protracted period of cold.
On the other hand, Mayer acknowledged that the substantial snowfall in November failed to freeze, instead melting and adding to the groundwater. This will, he said, provide more moisture for the soil next year and insulate vegetation from winterburn.
According to a forecast from the National Weather Service, the temperature is not expected to drop below freezing until Thursday.
According to a National Weather Service climate advisory issued last week, El Niño will continue until late spring 2016, bringing above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation to the northern United States.
The advisory also noted that this year's El Niño event is among the three strongest such events recorded since 1950.
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Monroe area's average temperature for the month of November was 42 degrees, a 12-degree increase from last year.
The high temperature Sunday was 59, 25 degrees above the normal high of 32 for that date.
On the other hand, Monroe also received 4.08 inches of precipitation in November, the highest precipitation for the month in the last five years.
City projects continue
The warm temperatures have been helping the city move ahead with projects.
Public Works Director Colin Simpson has seen patch work, and other projects that are usually put on hold for the winter, go forward in December.
According to The Weather Channel, the month began at an average, but on Dec. 4 the temperature jumped and continued to stay above the average of 34 degrees. These spring-like conditions of temperatures in the 40s and even 50s have helped street crews continue to get work done in Monroe.
"Every day helps," Simpson said. "Potholes, cement patches - some of that we would normally be doing in the spring. The weather has been a tremendous help."
The biggest help the unusually mild weather has provided is the lack of freezing within the ground. Simpson said one of the main problems the city deals with is the ground freezing and subsequent thawing, which causes damage to water mains and roads. It hasn't happened yet, and Simpson said he hopes that once the ground is frozen, it remains that way until the spring thaw gives way to the summer season.
The city is still ready to go for winter after having to ensure all equipment was able to hit the streets during the first snowfall, which accumulated in Monroe before Thanksgiving.
Simpson said the disadvantage of the warmer conditions is the continued need for street sweeping. Because of fairer weather, the department has had to continue street sweeping and cleaning up debris such as leaves and compostable materials within the city.
Ag drawbacks
Although a milder winter may be more convenient for people, the warmer weather can pose a detriment to agriculture in the region.
Mark Mayer, Green County University of Wisconsin-Extension agriculture agent, said that while the warmer weather may have positive affects later in the season, currently there are few benefits to agriculture.
"Right now, it's too wet for people to go finish the harvest," Mayer said. "Fortunately, the harvest is about 90 percent done, but it would be preferable for the water in the ground to freeze."
Mayer added that the warmer weather has allowed insects that would ordinarily be killed by the cold to continue thriving.
As the days grow warmer, the difference in temperature between night and day becomes more pronounced, which Mayer said can be harder for livestock, especially younger animals, to adapt to than a protracted period of cold.
On the other hand, Mayer acknowledged that the substantial snowfall in November failed to freeze, instead melting and adding to the groundwater. This will, he said, provide more moisture for the soil next year and insulate vegetation from winterburn.
According to a forecast from the National Weather Service, the temperature is not expected to drop below freezing until Thursday.