Friday 5 July 2019

Weather synopsis (July 5, 2019; Wk 13)

Weather synopsis – Prairie temperatures continue to be cooler than average. Though temperatures this week were approximately 1 °C warmer than last week, temperatures were cooler than normal (Fig. 1).  The warmest temperatures were observed across MB while temperatures were cooler in western SK and across AB. 
Figure 1. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (June 24-July 1, 2019).

Across the prairies, 30-day average temperatures were approximately 1 °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. The mean temperature differences from normal (June 1 – 30, 2019) were zero to two degrees Celsius cooler than for AB and  western SK while temperatures in eastern SK and MB have been zero to two degrees Celsius warmer than normal (Fig. 3). 
Figure 2. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (June 2-July 1, 2019).


Figure 3. Mean temperature difference from Normal across the Canadian prairies over the past 30 days (June 1-30, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jul2019).  Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

Growing season temperatures (April 1-July 1, 2019) have been warmest across the southern prairies. Across the prairies, the average growing season temperature has been 1.2 °C below normal (Fig. 4).
Figure 4. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 1 2019).

This past week significant rainfall amounts were reported for southern SK and the Peace River region. Minimal rainfall was reported across MB and southern AB (Fig. 5). 
Figure 5. Cumulative precipitation observed the past seven days across the Canadian prairies (June 24-July 1, 2019).

Across the prairies, rainfall amounts for the past 30 days have been near normal (Fig. 6). The Edmonton AB region has been the wettest. Growing season rainfall amounts have been below average for most of the prairies, particularly across southern regions of AB and eastern MB (Fig. 7). 
Figure 6. Cumulative precipitation observed the past 30 days across the Canadian prairies (June 2-July 1, 2019).

Figure 7. Cumulative precipitation observed for the growing season (April 1-July 1, 2019) across the Canadian prairies.

Based on modelled soil moisture, 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. 
Figure 8. Modeled soil moisture (%) across the Canadian prairies as of July 1, 2019.


The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5 ºC, April 1-June 24, 2019) is below (Fig. 9):
Figure 9. Growing degree day (Base 5 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 1, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jul2019).  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-June 24, 2019) is below (Fig. 10):
Figure 10. Growing degree day (Base 10 ºC) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 1, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jul2019).  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 ranged from at least 13 to at least 0 °C in the map below (Fig. 11).
Figure 11. Lowest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (to July 1, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jul2019).  Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

The highest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from less than 14 to at least 30 °C in the map below (Fig. 12).
Figure 12. Highest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (to July 1, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jul2019).  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 can bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.