Weather synopsis

Weather synopsis – This week (June 15-21, 2020) prairie temperatures were generally cooler than average and 7-day rainfall totals were marginally above average.  Average 7-day temperatures were warmest across Manitoba and the Peace River region (Table 1; Fig. 1).  Temperatures were coolest across most of Saskatchewan (Table 1; Fig. 1).  The weekly average temperature at Winnipeg (19 °C) was 6 °C warmer than at Regina (Table 1). 

Table 1. 7-day temperature and rainfall summary (June 15-21, 2020) 

Figure 1. Observed average temperatures across the Canadian prairies for the past seven days (June 15-21, 2020).

Average 30-day (May 23-June 21, 2020) temperatures continue to be cooler in Alberta than in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Table 2; Fig. 2).  Temperature anomalies indicated that most of the prairies have been 0 to 2 °C cooler than average (Fig. 3).  Southern regions of Alberta and Manitoba have been 0 to 2 °C warmer than average (Fig. 3). 

Table 2. 30-day temperature and rainfall summary (May 16 -June 14, 2020)

Figure 2. Observed average temperatures across the Canadian prairies for the past 30 days (May 23-June 21, 2020).

Figure 3. Mean temperature difference from Normal across the Canadian prairies the past 30 days (May 26-June 22, 2020). Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (22Jun2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209  

This past week (June 8-14, 2020), rainfall amounts were greatest across central regions of Saskatchewan and eastern Manitoba. Thirty-day cumulative rainfall amounts vary across the prairies.  Conditions are driest across the southern prairies.  Total 30-day rainfall at Brandon, Regina and Lethbridge have been less than 51.5 mm.  Rainfall amounts have been greater across central regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Lacombe has reported 94.4 mm (175% of normal) and Saskatoon has had 120.4 mm 262% of normal) in the past 30 days.

Figure 4. Observed cumulative precipitation across the Canadian prairies for the past seven days (June 15-21, 2020).

Figure 5. Observed cumulative precipitation across the Canadian prairies for the past 30 days (May 23-June 21, 2020).

Figure 6. Percent of average precipitation the past 30 days (May 26-June 22, 2020). Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (22Jun2020). 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-June 22, 2020) is below (Fig. 7):

Figure 7. Growing degree day map (Base 5 °C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-June 22, 2020). Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (25Jun2020). 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 22, 2020) is below (Fig. 8):

Figure 8. Growing degree day map (Base 10 °C) observed across the Canadian prairies for the growing season (April 1-June 22, 2020). Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (25Jun2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209

The highest temperatures (°C) observed the past seven days ranged from <15 to >30 °C in the map below (Fig. 9).

Figure 9. Highest temperatures (°C) observed across the Canadian prairies the past seven days (April 1-June 24, 2020). Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (25Jun2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209

While the map below reflects how many days >25 °C have occurred so far across the prairies as of June 24, 2020 (Fig. 10). 

Figure 10. Number of days with temperatures above 25 °C)observed across the Canadian prairies this growing season  (April 1-June 24, 2020). Image has not been reproduced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada and was retrieved (25Jun2020). Access the full map at http://www.agr.gc.ca/DW-GS/current-actuelles.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=true&reset=1588297059209

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.  Historical weather data can be access at the AAFC Drought Watch website, Environment Canada's Historical Data website, or your provincial weather network.