An abbreviated synopsis is provided for the final Weekly Update of the 2020 growing season. It was a warm week for most of the prairies! The highest temperatures the past seven days across the prairies are represented in Figure 1 and ranged from <22 to >35 °C.

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209
All those high temperatures advanced the accumulation of heat units across the prairies. The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5 ºC, April 1-August 17, 2020) is below (Fig. 2) while the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10 ºC, April 1-August 17, 2020) is shown in Figure 3.

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209
So far this growing season, the number of days above 25 °C ranges from 0-10 days in the northwest of the prairies then increases up to 61-70 days in southern Manitoba (Fig. 4). In comparison, the number of days above 30 °C ranges up to 25-27 days in southern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba (Fig. 5)

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209
As fields continue to mature in late August and in to September, growers will be watching for cool evenings. The lowest temperatures the past seven days across the prairies are represented in Figure 6 and ranged from <1 to >13 °C.

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209
Cumulative rainfall for the past 7 days was lowest across central and southern regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan while western and northern areas of the Peace River region AND eastern Saskatchewan plus much of Manitoba received more moisture (Fig. 7). Cumulative 30-day (Fig. 8) and rainfall for the growing season (April 1-August 19, 2020; Fig. 9) are below.

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209

Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (20Aug2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209
The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Growers can bookmark the AAFC Current Conditions Drought Watch Maps for the growing season. Historical weather data can be access at the AAFC Drought Watch website, Environment Canada’s Historical Data website, or your provincial weather network.