Weather synopsis (May 9, 2019; Wk 05)

Weather synopsis – Daily average temperatures continue to be cooler than normal for the early growing season. This past week (April 30-May 7, 2019), the average temperature (0.5 °C) was approximately 6 °C cooler than normal (Fig. 1). The warmest temperatures were observed in southern AB and southeastern SK (Fig. 1).  Average 30-day temperatures were well below normal (Fig. 3). Across the prairies, average temperatures (April 9-May 6)  was 0 to -3 °C below normal (Fig. 2). 

Figure 1.  Average Temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (April 30-May 7, 2019).

Figure 2.  Average Temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (April 7-May 7, 2019).

Figure 3.  Mean temperature differences from Normal across the Canadian prairies from April 9-May 6, 2019.
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the 
Government of Canada and was retrieved (09May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

Seven day cumulative rainfall shows that minimal rain was observed across large areas in MB and SK (Fig. 4). Rainfall (30 day accumulation) amounts (Fig. 5) have been well below average for most of the prairies (66% of average) (Fig. 6). Rainfall amounts across southern SK are normal to above normal (Fig. 6). 

Figure 4. Cumulative precipitation observed the past seven days across the Canadian prairies (April 30-May 7, 2019).

Figure 5. Cumulative precipitation observed the past 30 days across the Canadian prairies (April 7-May 7, 2019).

Figure 6. Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (as of May 8, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the
Government of Canada and was retrieved (09May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

Soil moisture values are low across large  generally low.

Figure 7.  Modelled soil moisture (%) across the Canadian prairies as of May 7, 2019.

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5 ºC, March 1 – June 18, 2017) is below:

Figure 8.  Growing degree day (Base 5 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-May 6, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the 
Government of Canada and was retrieved (09May2019).  
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, March 1 – June 18, 2017) is below:

Figure 9. Growing degree day (Base 10 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-May 6, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the 
Government of Canada and was retrieved (09May2019).  
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true