The wet weather problems in the eastern Prairies have grabbed most of the headlines and attention, but some parts of Alberta and western Saskatchewan are quietly trending too dry.
As the 60-day map below shows, the Peace River district in northern Alberta has been particularly dry, seeing only between 40% and 60% of regular rainfall over a relatively wide area, with small isolated areas getting less than 40%. However, generally dry conditions (between 60% and 85% of normal precipitation) also extend much farther south, down through Edmonton, Red Deer, Hanna and Brooks. The drier areas also leak over into the southwest corner of Saskatchewan.
World Weather Inc. has made note of the drier areas in forecasts released this week, adding that although most locations are not yet critically dry, moisture will be needed later this month to boost soil moisture. “Crop stress may evolve if the western Prairies do not receive timely rain," today’s report said.
Ken Ball of PI Financial in Winnipeg, said the dry weather in the western Prairie has not yet become an issue, but speculated that market chatter about Alberta needing rain could begin as soon as next week if things remain on the dry side.
“They’ve got good crops coming but the crops are starting to run out of moisture in about 30% of Alberta, I think," he said.
As the 60-day map below shows, the Peace River district in northern Alberta has been particularly dry, seeing only between 40% and 60% of regular rainfall over a relatively wide area, with small isolated areas getting less than 40%. However, generally dry conditions (between 60% and 85% of normal precipitation) also extend much farther south, down through Edmonton, Red Deer, Hanna and Brooks. The drier areas also leak over into the southwest corner of Saskatchewan.
World Weather Inc. has made note of the drier areas in forecasts released this week, adding that although most locations are not yet critically dry, moisture will be needed later this month to boost soil moisture. “Crop stress may evolve if the western Prairies do not receive timely rain," today’s report said.
Ken Ball of PI Financial in Winnipeg, said the dry weather in the western Prairie has not yet become an issue, but speculated that market chatter about Alberta needing rain could begin as soon as next week if things remain on the dry side.
“They’ve got good crops coming but the crops are starting to run out of moisture in about 30% of Alberta, I think," he said.
Comment