This week’s weather summary was kindly provided by the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network (PCDMN).
Last week (July 8-14, 2024), average cumulative 7 day rainfall was 5 mm (Figure 1) and was well below the previous week (July 1-7) that experienced an average cumulative rainfall value of 16.7 mm. The average 30 day (June 14 – July 14) temperature was 0.5° C warmer than long term average values. Most of the prairies reported 30 day rainfall amounts ranging from normal to above normal. A region from Saskatoon to Oyen has had uncharacteristically high rainfall; Kindersley and Oyen had greater than 250 % of normal precipitation (Figure 2). Driest conditions were observed near Edmonton and the western areas of the Peace River region. Since April 1, the 2024 growing season average temperatures have been 0.5° C greater than climate normal values. Most of the prairies have had above normal to above normal (157 %) rainfall (Figure 3).
Soil moisture conditions (top 5 cm) continue to be driest for the eastern and Peace River regions of Alberta and southern regions of Saskatchewan (Figure 4). Soil moisture values were greatest for Manitoba and the Parkland region of Saskatchewan.
Growing degree day (GDD) dynamic maps for the Canadian prairies for Base 5 ºC and Base 10 ºC (April 1-July 15, 2024) can be viewed by clicking the hyperlinks. Over the past 7 days (to July 21, 2024), the lowest temperatures recorded across the Canadian prairies ranged from -22 to 10 °C while the highest temperatures observed ranged from 4 to 33 °C. In terms of precipitation across the Canadian prairies, review the growing season accumulated precipitation (April 1-July 21, 2024), the growing season percent of average precipitation (April 1-July 21, 2024), and the past 7 days (as of July 21, 2024). Access these maps and more using the AAFC Maps of Historic Agroclimate Conditions interface.
Growers can bookmark the AAFC Maps of Current Agroclimate Conditions for the growing season. Historical weather data can be accessed at the AAFC Drought Watch Historical website, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Historical Data website, or your provincial weather network. The AAFC Canadian Drought Monitor also provides geospatial maps updated monthly.