The winter severity index for the International Falls area was 90 on Wednesday, reports Larry Petersen, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources area wildlife manager.
The WSI was 28 last year at this date, and 113 two years ago, Petersen reports.
The average WSI for this date is about 85; the harshest winter that occurred in the mid 90’s had an index of 147 on this date.
The snow depth is around 24-26 inches in the International Falls vicinity.
The winter severity index is a standardized number we use when considering impacts of the winter on deer. It 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 below 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.
