Report Nr. 3374 Winter Severity Index 2001 - 2002

The Wildlife Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has the authority and responsibility to protect and manage the wildlife resources of the State of Michigan. Determining the effects of winter weather on white-tailed deer abundance, reproductive success, growth and survival rates, and hunter harvest is an important part of Michigan's deer management program. The DNR monitors the winter severity using a Winter Severity Index. The index measures the combined effects of air chill and snow hazard. This report summarizes results of the Winter Severity Index for the winter of 2000-2001. According to the Winter Severity Index, the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula experienced the 4th mildest winter on record and the least severe for the Southern Lower Peninsula. Early winter conditions were very mild across the state with winter storms dumping large accumulations of snow, according to National Weather Service data. Mild temperatures often followed winter storms melting snow rapidly and keeping the seasonal Winter Severity Index relatively low.