It is still a long way off, but early indications point to the possibility of more wet conditions in the southern Prairies next spring.
March, April and May could be wetter than normal for the more southern production regions, Scott Yuknis, owner and founder of Climate Impact Company, said today during a presentation at the Cereals of North America conference in Winnipeg.
Most of the southern Prairies already suffered through an usually wet growing season this year, and even in the east-central region of Saskatchewan there are concerns that still soggy conditions could pose planting problems in the spring.
In contrast, farmers in other parts of Saskatchewan – including the northeast – could actually use more rain to replenish moil moisture reserves ahead of the winter.
The good news is Yuknis said he sees relatively warmer temperatures from April through June, although things could turn cooler than normal in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario for most of the summer.
Looking farther ahead, Yuknis said it is possible that a drought pattern develops in the U.S. and works its way up to Canada within the next two to three years. What parts of Canada may be impacted remains uncertain, he said.
In the nearer term, Yuknis forecasted that temperatures in Western Canada this winter will be near average, to slightly above average, with precipitation also expected to be close to normal.
But it is possible the month of February will be colder if the developing El Nino weather pattern remains weak, he added.
March, April and May could be wetter than normal for the more southern production regions, Scott Yuknis, owner and founder of Climate Impact Company, said today during a presentation at the Cereals of North America conference in Winnipeg.
Most of the southern Prairies already suffered through an usually wet growing season this year, and even in the east-central region of Saskatchewan there are concerns that still soggy conditions could pose planting problems in the spring.
In contrast, farmers in other parts of Saskatchewan – including the northeast – could actually use more rain to replenish moil moisture reserves ahead of the winter.
The good news is Yuknis said he sees relatively warmer temperatures from April through June, although things could turn cooler than normal in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario for most of the summer.
Looking farther ahead, Yuknis said it is possible that a drought pattern develops in the U.S. and works its way up to Canada within the next two to three years. What parts of Canada may be impacted remains uncertain, he said.
In the nearer term, Yuknis forecasted that temperatures in Western Canada this winter will be near average, to slightly above average, with precipitation also expected to be close to normal.
But it is possible the month of February will be colder if the developing El Nino weather pattern remains weak, he added.
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