Friday 2 August 2019

Weather synopsis (August 1, 2019; Wk 17)

Weather synopsis – This past week (July 22-28, 2019) temperatures were approximately 2 °C warmer than last week (Fig. 1). The warmest temperatures were observed in MB and southern AB while temperatures were cooler in western AB and the Peace River region. 
Figure 1. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (July 22-28, 2019).


Across the prairies, 30-day (June 28 – July 28, 2019) average temperatures have been approximately 1 °C cooler than normal (Fig. 2). Temperatures were warmest across MB and eastern SK. 
Figure 2. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (June 28-July 28, 2019).


Growing season temperatures (April 1-July 28, 2019; Fig. 3) in AB and SK have been 1 °C cooler than average while central and eastern MB has been approximately 1 °C warmer than average (Fig. 4). 
Figure 3. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 28, 2019).

Figure 4. Mean temperature difference (°C) from Normal observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 31, 2019).  Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (01Aug2019).  Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

This past week significant rainfall amounts were reported the parkland region of  SK and AB (Fig. 5). Across the prairies, rainfall amounts for the past 30 days have been highly variable (Fig. 6). 
Figure 5. Cumulative precipitation observed the past seven days across the Canadian prairies (July 22-28, 2019).

Figure 6. Cumulative precipitation observed the past 30 days across the Canadian prairies (June 28-July 28, 2019).

Dryer conditions continue across southern AB and western SK. Growing season (April 1 – July 21, 2019; Fig. 7) rainfall amounts have been below average across southern regions of AB, and across MB (Fig. 8). 

Figure 7. Cumulative precipitation observed for the growing season (April 1-July 28, 2019) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 8. Percent of average precipitation observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-July 31, 2019).  Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (01Aug2019).  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 5 ºC, April 1-July 21, 2019) is below (Fig. 9):


The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10 ºC, April 1-July 21, 2019) is below (Fig. 10):


The lowest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from at least 12 down 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 31, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (01Aug2019).  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 at least 18 up to at least 32 °C in the map below (Fig. 12).
Figure 12. Highest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (to July 31, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (01Aug2019).  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.