Weekly Update (Aug 03, 2017; Wk 14) - Weather Synopsis

Weather synopsis – This past week’s temperatures were above normal in many locations on the prairies, especially south and central Alberta and Saskatchewan (Fig. 1).  

Figure 1. Highest temperatures across the Canadian prairies the 
past seven days (July 25-31, 2017).

Seven-day rainfall accumulations were low across the prairies. Total 30-day rainfall accumulations indicate that conditions are normal to dryer-than-normal for most of the prairies (Fig. 2). 

Figure 2.  Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies the 
past 30 days (July 2-31, 2017). 

Growing season (April 1 – July 31, 2017) percent of average precipitation continues to be average for some areas of Alberta, but below average for most of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Figure 3.  Percent of average precipitation across the Canadian prairies over 
the growing season (April 1-July 31, 2017).

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10ºC, March 1 – July 30, 2017) is below:

The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 5ºC, March 1 – July 30, 2017) is below:

The maps above are all produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  Growers may wish to bookmark the AAFC Drought Watch Maps for the growing season.