Tag: Temperature

Weather synopsis – Temperature – Crops continue to mature and some fields have been harvested across the prairies.  The map below reflects the number of days above 25°C (Fig. 1) while the next map reflects the number of days above 30°C (Fig. 2).

Figure 1. Number of days above 25°C.

Figure 2. Number of days above 30°C.

The map below reflects the highest temperatures across the prairies the past seven days (Fig. 3) while the lowest temperatures the past seven days reveals some cool nights in some areas (Fig. 4).

Figure 3.  Highest temperatures the past seven days (August  15-21, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 4. Lowest temperatures the past seven days (August  15-21, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Precipitation – Seven-day rainfall accumulations were greatest in central Alberta into Saskatchewan but also in eastern Saskatchewan and into Manitoba (Fig. 5). 

Figure 5. Accumulated precipitation the past seven days (August 15-21, 2017).

Figure 7. Percent of average precipitation for the growing season (April 1-August 21, 2017).

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – August 20, 2017) is below:

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – August 20, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Temperature – This week’s temperatures were warmest in southern Alberta and Manitoba (Fig. 1). The 30-day average temperatures were warmest along the border with USA (Fig. 2).

Figure 1. Average precipitation across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (August 7-14, 2017).

Figure 2.  Average temperature across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (July 14-August 14, 2017).

After a fair bit heat across the prairies (Fig. 3), a few of us woke to cooler temperatures (Fig. 4) this week!

Figure 3.  Highest temperatures the past seven days (August  10-16, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 4.  Lowest temperatures the past seven days (August  10-16, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Precipitation – Seven-day rainfall accumulations were greatest in regions north of the Yellowhead highway (Fig. 5). Total 30-day rainfall accumulations indicate that conditions dryer than normal for most of the prairies, particularly southern and central regions of Alberta (Fig. 6). 

Figure 5. Accumulated precipitation the past seven days (August 7-13, 2017).

Figure 6. Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies the  past 30 days (July 15-August 13, 2017).

This growing season (April 1 – August 13, 2017), the percent of average precipitation continues to be below average for most of the prairies (Fig. 7).

Figure 7. Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies for the  growing season (April 1-August 13, 2017).

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – August 13, 2017) is below:

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – August 13, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – This past week’s temperatures were above normal in many locations on the prairies, especially south and central Alberta and Saskatchewan (Fig. 1).  

Figure 1. Highest temperatures across the Canadian prairies the  past seven days (July 25-31, 2017).

Seven-day rainfall accumulations were low across the prairies. Total 30-day rainfall accumulations indicate that conditions are normal to dryer-than-normal for most of the prairies (Fig. 2). 

Figure 2.  Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies the  past 30 days (July 2-31, 2017).

Growing season (April 1 – July 31, 2017) percent of average precipitation continues to be average for some areas of Alberta, but below average for most of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Figure 3.  Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies over  the growing season (April 1-July 31, 2017).

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 30, 2017) is below:

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 30, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – This week’s temperatures were similar to last week, both the seven-day (Fig. 1) and 30-day average temperatures (Fig. 2) were similar to long term averages (Fig. 3). Compared to 30-day average temperatures, Alberta was above normal, whereas Saskatchewan and Manitoba were slightly below normal (Fig. 2).

Figure 1.  Accumulated precipitation the past  7 days (from July 17-24, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 2.  Accumulated precipitation the past 30 days (from June 24-July 24, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 3.  Long Term Normal (LTN) average temperatures over 30 days  (from June 24-July 24) across the Canadian prairies.

Seven-day rainfall accumulations were low across the prairies ( Fig. 4). Total 30-day rainfall accumulations indicate that conditions are normal to dryer than normal for most of the prairies (Fig. 5). Growing season (April 1 – July 23, 2017) percent of average precipitation continues to be average for most of Alberta and below average for most of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Figure 4. Accumulated precipitation the past seven days (July 17-24, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 5. Accumulated precipitation the past 30 days (June 24-July 24, 2017) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 6.  Percent of average precipitation  for the across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 24, 2017).

The lowest temperatures across the prairies over the past seven days (July 18-24, 2017) are mapped below.  

In contrast, the highest temperatures recorded over the past seven days (July 13-19, 2017) are presented below. 

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 23, 2017) is below:

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 23, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Seven-day rainfall accumulations were generally greater than the previous week. Some areas in southern prairies received 10 to 30 mm of rain (Fig. 1). Total 30-day rainfall for June 17 to July 16, 2017, indicates that conditions are somewhat dryer than normal for most of the prairies. Figure 2 indicates that the regions with <40% of average rainfall (30-day) now include much of southern Saskatchewan, as well as large spots of southern Alberta and Manitoba. The percent of average precipitation for this growing season continues to be average for most of Alberta and below average for much of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Fig. 3).

Figure 1.  Accumulated precipitation across the Canadian prairies the past  seven days (July 10-16, 2017).

Figure 2.  Accumulated precipitation across the Canadian prairies the past  30 days (June 17-July 16, 2017).

Figure 3.  Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies from June 17-July 16, 2017.

Over the past week, the warmest temperatures occurred over a large area from Brandon to Edmonton and south to the Canada-USA border. Although temperatures were warmer (1°C) than last week, both the 7- and 30-day average temperatures were similar to long-term normal (LTN). Compared to 30-day average temperatures, Alberta was above normal whereas Saskatchewan and Manitoba were slightly below normal. 

The lowest temperatures across the prairies over the past seven days (July 13-19, 2017) are mapped below.  

In contrast, the highest temperatures recorded over the past seven days (July 13-19, 2017) are presented below.  

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 13, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Although temperatures were warmer than last week, both the seven- and 30-day average temperatures were similar to long term averages.

Compared to 30-day average temperatures, Alberta was above normal, whereas Saskatchewan and Manitoba were slightly below normal.

Central and northern regions of all three provinces reported increased rainfall amounts. Total 30-day rainfall accumulations indicate that conditions are normal to dryer than normal for most of the prairies.

The lowest temperatures across the prairies over the past seven days (July 5-11, 2017) are mapped below.  

In contrast, the highest temperatures recorded over the past seven days (July 5-11, 2017) are presented below.  

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 9, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 9, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – This past week, average temperatures were slightly below long-term normals for mid-June.  Average temperatures for June indicate that Alberta temperatures were average, to above average, while Saskatchewan was slightly below than average temperatures. 

Total 30 day rainfall accumulations indicate that conditions are dryer than normal for most of Saskatchewan, the southern Peace River region and large areas of Manitoba.  Central and southern Alberta has had normal rainfall for June.

The lowest temperatures across the prairies over the past seven days (June 29-July 5, 2017) are mapped below.  

In contrast, the highest temperatures recorded over the past seven days (June 29-July 5, 2017) are presented below.  

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 3, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 3, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Our AAFC Staff are busy surveying this week so be sure to check back for updates!


Precipitation for the growing season is presented below (April 1-June 27, 2017) followed by the precipitation expressed as Percent of Normal for the same period.

Over the past seven days, the greatest precipitation fell in northern growing areas along areas typically grouped as Boreal Plains (June 21-27, 2017).  Southern Alberta, southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba received the lowest amounts of precipitation over the same period.

The lowest temperatures across the prairies over the past seven days (June 21-27, 2017) are mapped below.  Although there was little chance of frost, much of the prairies recorded lows ranging from 0-4°C.

In contrast, the highest temperatures recorded over the past seven days (June 21-27, 2017) are presented below.  The field crops in some of these areas endured daily fluctuations of 20-25°C.

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – June 25, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – June 25, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Over this past week, average temperatures were similar to last week and only marginally cooler than long term averages for early June. Average temperatures were warmest in southern Manitoba with cooler conditions occurring across Alberta. 

 This second map presents the 30 Day Average Temperature. Average temperatures were greatest in southern regions of Manitoba and central Alberta.

The map below indicates that 7 Day Accumulated Precipitation was greatest across Alberta while central and southern Saskatchewan continued to be dry. 

The map below indicates that the rainfall amounts for the past month (May 13 – June 11) were average to above-average in Alberta and below-average for Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

 
The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – June 11, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – June 11, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Meteorological conditions for the past month of May were generally warmer and dryer than normal. Average May temperatures were in the range of 0 to 2°C warmer than long term averages. 

May precipitation was below average across Manitoba and Saskatchewan; rainfall amounts were greatest across Alberta. The overall precipitation this growing season has been below normal to normal in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but normal to well above normal in Alberta. 

Over this past week, average temperatures across the prairies were 2°C warmer than last week, and marginally warmer than long term averages for early June. Weekly average temperatures were greatest in southern regions of Manitoba and Alberta. Precipitation over the past week was greatest in central and northern Alberta. Most of Saskatchewan was dry over the past week. 

The map below reflects the Accumulated Precipitation for the Growing Season so far for the prairie provinces (i.e., April 1-June 5, 2017):

The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (May 30-June 5, 2017) across the prairies:

Whereas the map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (May 30-June 5, 2017):

 
The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – June 4, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – June 4, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Across the prairies, this week’s average temperatures were slightly cooler than normal.

After a wetter week in central and northern Alberta, the most current 7-day rainfall was greater in the east of central Alberta into central Saskatchewan down into Manitoba. 

The 30-day rainfall amounts were average to below average across the southern prairies.

The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (May 25-31, 2017) across the prairies:

Whereas the map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (May 25-31, 2017):

 
The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – May 28, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – May 28, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – This week’s average temperatures were approximately 3°C cooler than normal (Fig. 1) and seven day precipitation accumulations were above normal.  The 30-day rainfall amounts were below average in eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Fig. 2). 

Whereas the map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (May 18-24, 2017):

 
The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – May 22, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – May 22, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – This week’s average temperatures were approximately 2°C cooler than normal and seven-day precipitation accumulations were above normal.  

Over the past month, precipitation was below average in Manitoba, but above average in northwest Alberta.

Whereas the map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (May 11-17, 2017):

 
The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – May 14, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – May 14, 2017) is below:

Weather synopsis – Many locations across southern Saskatchewan and Alberta experienced temperatures above 25°C this week. Average temperatures were warmest across southeastern Saskatchewan from May 1-8, 2017. 

Whereas the map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (May 4-10, 2017):

 
The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – May 7, 2017) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – May 7, 2017) is below:

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.

Weather synopsis – We begin with a synopsis of the weather situation starting with the map below which reflects the Accumulated Precipitation received during the winter (Nov 1, 2016 to Mar 31, 2017) across the prairies (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Accumulated precipitation across the Canadian prairies during the winter (November 1, 2016-March 31, 2017).

Figure 2. Average temperatures across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (April 1-30, 2017).

Figure 3. Cumulative precipitation across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (April 1-30, 2017).

The map below reflects the Highest Temperatures occurring over the past 7 days across the prairies.

The map below reflects the Lowest Temperatures occurring over the past 7 days across the prairies.

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.

Weather synopsis – The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – August 21, 2016) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – August 21, 2016) is below:

The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (August 17-23, 2016) across the prairies:

The map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (August 17-23, 2016):

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.

Additional precipitation and temperature data or maps are provided by the following:
Manitoba Agriculture’s Crop Weather Report
Alberta Agriculture and Food’s Weather Stations
Saskatchewan’s Cumulative Precipitation Map
Environment Canada’s Historical Data Interface

Weather synopsis – The average temperature over the past seven days (August 7-14, 2016) was similar to Long Term Normal (LTN) values.

Across central Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba,  average cumulative rainfall was well above LTN values.

The average 30 day temperature for July 8-August 7, 2016, was similar to LTN and rainfall was 50% greater than LTN (average across the prairies). The wettest conditions have been in south and central areas of western Saskatchewan and central Alberta.

The average growing season temperature (April 1- August 7, 2016) was marginally warmer than normal. Growing season rainfall has been approximately 28% above average.

The map below shows the modelled soil moisture across the prairies (August 14, 2016).

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – August 14, 2016) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – August 14, 2016) is below:

The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (August 10 – August 16, 2016) across the prairies:

The map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (August 10 – August 16, 2016):

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.

Additional precipitation and temperature data or maps are provided by the following:
Manitoba Agriculture’s Crop Weather Report
Alberta Agriculture and Food’s Weather Stations
Saskatchewan’s Cumulative Precipitation Map
Environment Canada’s Historical Data Interface

Weather synopsis – This Post has been updated!  Please view the new Post here!

Weather synopsis – The average temperature over the past seven days (August 1-7, 2016) was approximately 1°C cooler than Long Term Normal (LTN).

The average 30 day temperature for July 8 to August 7 was similar LTN and rainfall was 50% greater than LTN (average across the prairies).

While the map below summarizes the cumulative precipitation for the growing season (April 1 – August 8, 2016).

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – August 7, 2016) is below:

The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (August 2 – August 8, 2016) across the prairies:

The map below reflects the 7 Day cumulative precipitation map (July 26-August 1, 2016). 

While the map below summarizes the cumulative precipitation for the growing season (April 1-August 1, 2016).

The accumulated precipitation for the growing season (April 1-August 1, 2016) is mapped below.

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 31, 2016) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 31, 2016) is below:

The map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (July 26-August 1, 2016):

While the map below reflects the number of consecutive days above 25°C across the prairies for the growing season as of July 29, 2016.

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.

Across prairies, the 7-day average cumulative rainfall also brought some strong storms with rain, wind and worse.

The following map reflects the number of days above 25°C across the prairies for the growing season as of July 18, 2016.

The accumulated precipitation for the growing season (April 1-July 24, 2016) is mapped below.

The map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (July 20-26, 2016):

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 24, 2016) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 24, 2016) is below:

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.

Additional precipitation and temperature data or maps are provided by the following:
Manitoba Agriculture’s Crop Weather Report
Alberta Agriculture and Food’s Weather Stations
Saskatchewan’s Cumulative Precipitation Map
Environment Canada’s Historical Data Interface

Average temperatures for June 27-July 3 were warmer in Alberta than Manitoba. This week the trend was reversed with the warmest temperatures being reported from Manitoba. Prairie wide, the average temperature was similar to Long Term Normals (LTN). 

The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (July 5-11, 2016) across the prairies:

The map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (July 5-11, 2016):

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 10, 2016) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 10, 2015) is below:

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.


Additional precipitation and temperature data or maps are provided by the following:
Manitoba AGriculture’s Crop Weather Report
Alberta Agriculture and Food’s Weather Stations
Environment Canada’s Historical Data Interface

Staff are busy surveying so some maps are not available this week.

Warmer temperatures were observed throughout the prairies and the west was drier compared to the east.


The Accumulated Precipitation the past 7 days (June 22-28, 2016) is below:

The map below reflects the Accumulated Precipitation for the Growing Season so far for the prairie provinces (i.e., May 1-June 26, 2016):

Compared to last week, overnight temperatures were warmer during the past 7 days.  The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (June 22-28, 2016) across the prairies:

The map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (June 22-28, 2016):

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – June 26, 2016) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – June 26, 2015) is below:

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.

Across the prairies, weather conditions were warmer and wetter than long term average values for the period of June 6-13, 2016. The average temperature was 15°C and was approximately 2°C warmer than the previous week. 



Across the prairies, weather conditions were very similar to long term average (LTN) values for the period of June 13-19, 2016. The average temperature was 14 °C and was approximately 1 °C warmer than the previous week. Temperatures in southern MB were 5-6 °C warmer than many locations in AB. 

The Peace River region was wetter than normal while most of southern AB and MB were dryer than normal. 

Soil moisture conditions are wettest in the Peace River region and across southern SK and MB. Southern AB and central SK have the driest soil moisture conditions.

Compared to last week, overnight temperatures were warmer during the past 7 days.  The map below shows the Lowest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (June 14-20, 2016) across the prairies:

The map below shows the Highest Temperatures the Past 7 Days (June 14-20, 2016):

The updated growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – June 19, 2016) is below:

While the growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – June 19, 2015) is below:

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.