A Wonderful Winter?
By Jeff Kurrus
As far as I am concerned, this winter couldn’t have been any better. Snow, warm weather to melt snow. Rain, warm weather to dry rain. Snow just enough to sled down a few hills. And lots of sunny afternoons.
But what does this mean for our natural world in Nebraska?
During this time of year, I’m in questioning mode as much as any other time of the year. I’m compiling notes for future stories and asking all the questions that will lead to stories for Nebraskaland and beyond. So let me share a few questions I have:
1. Could this warmer winter lead to some higher quail numbers?
2. What will it do to insects while I’m spring turkey hunting?
3. Will we be less prone to spring floods on our rivers?
4. Does a warmer winter traditionally equate to a hotter summer?
5. With less ice for ice fishermen, how will open water catches compare to traditional years?
6. Was this year an anomaly or just part of one large climate cycle?
7. What’s the spanish word for polka? (just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention)
8. Will aquatic vegetation be thicker?
9. Does a 2-inch rain give the earth as much moisture as a 2-inch snow?
10. What percentage of birds don’t migrate during winters like this?
Any answers would be very much appreciated.
For more information on Nebraskaland’s Jeff Kurrus, go to jeffkurrus.com.
What this proves is that if you would take up ice fishing, you would not have as much time to sit around pondering a list of 10 questions.
The best answer to most of your questions is one of my favorites, “it depends”. It may depend on the mild winter, but it also depends on a host of other factors most of which we cannot predict and none of which we can control. And especially when it comes to the weather in Nebraska, who knows, and who can predict it. As the year progresses, it will likely seem just like most other years, but then again I am also fond of saying “every year is different”.
What is the Polish word for “danzar”?
I do believe that we often gain more benefit from precipitation in the form of snow than we do precipitation in the form of rain. A lot of water runs off of the surface of the ground when we get a 2-inch rain. On the other hand, a 2-inch snow takes longer to melt and more of that water can soak into the ground.
100% of the turkeys did not migrate this past winter, and it ain’t long until those big toms will be gobbling!
We do have open water now, at least you can go do your thinking in a boat!
Daryl B.