Weather synopsis – Between May 25-31, 2020, temperature and moisture conditions varied significantly across the prairies.
Table 1. 7 day temperature and rainfall summary (May 25-31, 2020).
Table 2. 30 day temperature and rainfall summary (May 2-31, 2020).
Compared to Manitoba, average 7-day temperatures were much warmer in Alberta (Fig. 1). Average 30-day (May 2-31), 2020) temperatures were warmest across the central and southern regions of all three provinces (Fig. 2). Temperature anomalies indicated that most of the prairies have experienced temperatures that have been up to 2 °C cooler than normal (May 1-31, 2020; Fig. 3).
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| Figure 1. Observed average temperatures across the Canadian prairies for the past seven days (May 25-31, 2020). |
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| Figure 2. Observed average temperatures across the Canadian prairies for the past 30 days (May 2-31, 2020). |
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| Figure 3. Mean temperature difference from Normal across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (May 1-31, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (01Jun2020).
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Between 25-31 of May, rainfall amounts were well above average across central Alberta; in comparison, most of the prairies had minimal rain (Table 1; Fig. 4). Eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba have had the lowest 30-day cumulative rainfall amounts (Fig. 5).
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| Figure 4. Observed cumulative precipitation across the Canadian prairies for the past seven days (May 25-31, 2020). |
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| Figure 5. Observed cumulative precipitation across the Canadian prairies for the past 30 days (May 1-31, 2020). |
The recent rain has resulted in above normal rainfall (compared to long term normal) for most of Alberta (Fig. 6). Conditions continue to be dryer than normal across most of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Similar to last week, prairie rainfall amounts for the past 30 days have been approximately 125% of normal, a trend largely driven by high amounts of precipitation recorded in Alberta (Fig. 6).
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| Figure 6. Percent of average precipitation the past 30 days (May 1-31, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (01Jun2020).
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The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5 ºC, April 1-June 1, 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-June 1, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jun2020).
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 10 ºC, April 1-June 1, 2020) is below (Fig. 8):
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| Figure 8. Growing degree day map (Base 10°C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-June 1, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jun2020).
Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209 |
The lowest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from <-4 to >5 °C in the map below (Fig. 9).
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| Figure 9. Lowest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (May 23-June 3, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jun2020).
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The highest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from <9 to >30 °C in the map below (Fig. 10).
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| Figure 10. Highest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (May 23-June 3, 2020).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (04Jun2020).
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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.