Weather synopsis (May 16, 2019; Wk 06)

Weather synopsis – This past week (May 8-15, 2019) the average temperature was approximately 1 °C cooler than normal (Fig. 1). The warmest temperatures were observed in AB and with conditions much cooler in SK and MB.  

Figure 1.  Average Temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (May 8-15, 2019).

Average 30-day temperatures were approximately 2 °C cooler than average (Fig. 2). Across the prairies, average temperatures (April 9-May 6)  were 0 to -3 °C below normal (Fig. 3). 

Figure 2.  Mean temperature differences from Normal across the Canadian prairies from April 16-May 13, 2019.
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the 
Government of Canada and was retrieved (16May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

Figure 3.   Average Temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (April 15- May 15, 2019).

Seven-day cumulative rainfall indicated that minimal rain was observed across large areas in AB and MB. Most locations reported less than 5mm (Fig. 4). 

Figure 4.  Cumulative precipitation observed the past seven days across the Canadian prairies (May 8-15, 2019).

Across the prairies, rainfall amounts for the past 30 days (April 15-May 15, 2019) have been approximately 50% of normal (Fig. 5).  Growing season rainfall amounts have been well below average for most of the prairies. Only two areas, southern SK and the Peace River region were the only two areas that had normal to above normal rainfall (Fig. 6). 

Figure 5.  Percent of Average precipitation across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (Up to May 15, 2019).Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the 
Government of Canada and was retrieved (16May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

Figure 6. Cumulative precipitation observed the past 30 days across the Canadian prairies (April 15-May 15, 2019). 

Soil moisture values are low across most of the prairies (Fig. 7). 

Figure 7.  Modeled soil moisture (%) across the Canadian prairies (up to May 15, 2019).

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5 ºC, April 1-May 15, 2019) is below (Fig. 8):

Figure 8.  Growing degree day (Base 5 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-May 15, 2019).Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the 
Government of Canada and was retrieved (16May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10 ºC, April 1-May 15, 2019) is below (Fig. 9):

Figure 9.  Growing degree day (Base 10 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-May 15, 2019).Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the 
Government of Canada and was retrieved (16May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

The lowest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days range from -10 to 2 °C in the map below (Fig. 10).

Figure 10.  Lowest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (May 8-15, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (16May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

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.