Weather synopsis – Though still early, the 2020 growing season has been cooler and dryer than normal. It was a cool, wet weekend across most of the prairies (Fig. 1) with many locations experiencing rain, flurries, mixed precipitation, and/or snow (Fig. 4).
This past week (May 5 - 11, 2020; Fig. 1), the average temperature was approximately 2 °C cooler than normal and the average 30-day temperature (April 12 – May 11; Fig. 2) was 1 °C less than climate normal values (Fig. 3). Warm conditions have been experienced in Alberta while Manitoba has had cooler temperatures.
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| Figure 1. Observed average temperatures across the Canadian prairies for the past seven days (May 5-11, 2020). |
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| Figure 2. Observed average temperatures across the Canadian prairies for the past 30 days (April 12-May 11, 2020). |
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| Figure 3. Mean temperature difference from Normal (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (April 14-May 11, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (03Jun2020).
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Seven-day (Fig. 4) and 30-day cumulative rainfall amounts (Fig. 5) were minimal rain across large areas of all three provinces. Almost the entire prairie region has experienced dryer than normal precipitation over the past 30 days (Fig. 6).
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| Figure 4. Observed cumulative precipitation across the Canadian prairies for the past seven days (May 5-11, 2020). |
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| Figure 5. Observed cumulative precipitation across the Canadian prairies for the past 30 days (April 12-May 11, 2020). |
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Figure 6. Percent of average precipitation observed across the Canadian prairies for the past 30 days (as of May 11, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (07May2020).
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209 |
The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5 ºC, April 1-May 4, 2020) is below (Fig. 7):
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| Figure 7. Growing degree day map (Base 5 °C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-May 11, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (14May2020).
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209 |
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| Figure 8. Growing degree day map (Base 10 °C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-May 11, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (14May2020).
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209 |
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| Figure 9. Lowest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (May 5-11, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (14May2020).
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| Figure 10. Highest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (May 5-11, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (14May2020).
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The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Growers can bookmark the AAFC Current Conditions Drought Watch Maps for the growing season. More weather data can be access at the AAFC Drought Watch website, Environment Canada's Historical Data website, or your provincial weather network.