Weather synopsis – Prairie temperatures continue to be cooler than average. Temperatures this week were approximately 1 °C cooler than last week (Fig. 1). The warmest temperatures were observed across MB while temperatures were cooler in western SK and across AB.
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| Figure 1. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (July 2-July 8, 2019). |
Across the prairies, 30-day average temperatures have been approximately 1.5 °C cooler than normal (Fig. 2). Average 30-day temperatures were warmest across southern MB and SK. Cooler temperatures were reported across eastern and northern AB.
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| Figure 2. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (June 8- July 8, 2019). |
Growing season temperatures (April 1-July 1, 2019) have been 1 °C cooler than average; the warmest temperatures were observed across the southern prairies (Fig. 3).
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| Figure 3. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 8, 2019). |
This past week, significant rainfall amounts were reported central AB (Fig. 4). Minimal rainfall was reported across MB and southern AB. Across the prairies, rainfall amounts for the past 30 days have been highly variable (Fig. 5). Dry conditions persisted across much of MB and southern AB. Rainfall was well above average in SK. Growing season rainfall amounts have been below average for most of the prairies, particularly across southern regions of AB and eastern MB (Fig. 6).
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| Figure 4. Cumulative precipitation observed the past seven days across the Canadian prairies (July 2-8, 2019). |
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| Figure 5. Cumulative precipitation observed the past 30 days across the Canadian prairies (June 8-July 8, 2019). |
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| Figure 6. Cumulative precipitation observed over the growing season across the Canadian prairies (April 1-July 8, 2019). |
Based on modeled soil moisture (Fig. 7), recent rains have improved soil moisture values across a large area of SK. Predicted soil moisture continues to be low across large regions of eastern MB and southern AB.
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| Figure 7. Modeled soil moisture (%) across the Canadian prairies as of July 8, 2019. |
The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5 ºC, April 1-July 7, 2019) is below (Fig. 8):
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| Figure 8. Growing degree day (Base 5 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 7, 2019). |
The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10 ºC, April 1-July 7, 2019) is below (Fig. 9):
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| Figure 9. Growing degree day (Base 10 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 7, 2019). |
The lowest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from at least 13 to at least 1 °C in the map below (Fig. 10).
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| Figure 10. Lowest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (to July 11, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (011Jul2019). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true
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The highest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from less than 15 to at least 30 °C in the map below (Fig. 11).
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| Figure 11. Highest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (to July 11, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (011Jul2019). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true
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The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Growers can bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.