Friday 16 August 2019

Weather synopsis (August 15, 2019; Wk 19)

Weather synopsis – This past week (August 6-12, 2019) prairie temperatures were almost 3 °C cooler than last week (Fig. 1). The warmest temperatures were observed in southern AB and MB and eastern AB.  
Figure 1. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (August 6-12, 2019).

Across the prairies, 30 day (July 13- August 12, 2019; Fig. 2) average temperatures were slightly cooler than long term climate normals (Fig. 3). Temperatures were warmest across MB. 
Figure 2. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (July 13-August 12, 2019).

Figure 3. Mean temperature difference (°C) from Normal observed across the Canadian prairies for the past month (July 16-August 12 2019).  Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (15Aug2019).  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 12, 2019) continue to be approximately 1 °C cooler than average (Fig. 4).  
Figure 4. Average temperature (°C) across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-August 12, 2019).

Significant rainfall amounts were reported across parts of the northern Peace River region, southern AB and SK (Fig. 5). Across the prairies, rainfall amounts for the past 30 days have been lowest across the southern prairies (Fig. 6). 
Figure 5. Cumulative precipitation observed the past seven days across the Canadian prairies (August 6-12, 2019).

Figure 6. Cumulative precipitation observed the past 30 days across the Canadian prairies (July 13-August 12, 2019).

Growing season rainfall amounts (Fig. 7) have been below average across southern regions of AB and west-central SK (Fig. 8). 
Figure 7. Cumulative precipitation observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-August 12, 2019) .
Figure 8. Percent of average precipitation observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-August 14, 2019).  Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (15Aug2019).  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 11, 2019) is below (Fig. 9):


The growing degree day map (GDD) (Base 10 ºC, April 1-August 11, 2019) is below (Fig. 10):


The lowest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from at least 12 down to below 0 °C in the map below (Fig. 11).
Figure 11. Lowest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (to August 14, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (15Aug2019).  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 20 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 August 14, 2019).
Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (15Aug2019).  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.