Weekly Update (May 4, 2017; Wk 01) - Weather Synopsis

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).

Average temperatures over the past month have been warmest across the southern prairies. April precipitation was greater across Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan than western Saskatchewan or Alberta (Figure 2).  Compared to last year at this time, April 2017 was approximately 2°C cooler with marginally greater precipitation than last year (prairie-wide average values; Figure 3).

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.