Saturday 10 August 2019

Weather synopsis (August 8, 2019; Wk 18)

Weather synopsis – This past week (July 30- August 5, 2019) temperatures were similar to last week (Fig. 1). The warmest temperatures were observed across most of southern SK and eastern AB. 
Figure 1. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (July 30-August 5, 2019).

Across the prairies, 30-day (July 6- August 5, 2019) average temperatures (Fig. 2) were similar to long term climate normals (Fig. 3). Temperatures were warmest across MB and eastern SK. 
Figure 2. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (July 6-August 5, 2019).

Figure 3. Mean temperature difference (°C) from Normal observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (July 9-August 5, 2019).  Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (07Aug2019).  Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true

Growing season temperatures (April 1-August 5, 2019) in the Peace River region, central AB and SK have been 1 °C cooler than average while the remainder of the prairies has been warmer than normal (Fig. 4).
Figure 4. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-August 5, 2019).

Similar to last week, this 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). Dry conditions continue across southern AB and western SK. 
Figure 5. Cumulative precipitation observed the past seven days across the Canadian prairies (July 30-August 5, 2019).

Figure 6. Cumulative precipitation observed the past 30 days across the Canadian prairies (July 6-August 5, 2019).

Growing season rainfall amounts have been below average across southern regions of AB, and across MB (Fig. 7 and 8). 
Figure 7. Cumulative precipitation observed for the growing season (April 1-August 5, 2019) across the Canadian prairies.

Figure 8. Percent of average precipitation observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-August 6, 2019).  Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (08Aug2019).  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-August 5, 2019) is below (Fig. 9):



The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10 ºC, April 1-August 5, 2019) is below (Fig. 10):



The lowest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from at least 11 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 August 6, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (08Aug2019).  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 21 up to at least 34 °C in the map below (Fig. 12).
Figure 12. Highest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (to August 6, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (08Aug2019).  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.