Since early November, there has been only one rain (0.33") of significance (beyond a trace or few hundredths). It came as rapidly melting snow overnight, I went on a short hike late morning expecting the usually muddy spots - but no mud, ground barely damp, as it was all sucked in and/or evaporated already. Spring natives are showing in areas where water has run off nearby yards, but for the most part just dry. 2024 was a banner tumbleweed season, and dry dusty spring winds are blowing them everywhere. To complete the lack of a real winter, temperatures have been unseasonably warm. Many of the cute spinystar cacti have totally vanished, presumably eaten, and a number of prickly pears have been eaten to the base of the pads. There is just no other food for small mammals.