Larry Petersen, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources International Falls area wildlife manager, reports that the winter severity index for the International Falls area was 54 on Wednesday.
The winter severity index is a general measure of winter conditions based on the premise that prolonged cold temperatures and deep snow can reduce overwinter survival of white-tailed deer.
The winter severity index is a standardized number the DNR uses when considering impacts of the winter on deer. The WSI is calculated using temperature and snow depth in the period from Nov. 1 through April 30, or whenever winter ends. Every day the daily low temperature is zero or less is one point, and every day the snow depth is 15 inches or deeper in an open aspen woods is one point. The points are added each week until winter ends.
Petersen reported the WSI for International Falls was 26 last year at this date, and 13 two years ago. The average WSI for this date is about 28. The area’s harshest winter in the mid 90’s had an index of 66 on this date.
The snow depth is around 16 inches in the International Falls vicinity. Deeper snow can be found south and east of here, reports Petersen.
