Agricultural moisture situation update not looking great as of May 26 in Alberta
In the wake of a very dry winter and early spring, May was an active month for weather with several major events eventually bringing moisture into the Province’s dry areas. Ahead of the long weekend, the latest storm system brought significant moisture to those areas across the North East and Southern Regions that needed it most.
Much of Southern Alberta received heavy snows early in the week, and by the weekend, subsequent rains resulted in precipitation totals that ranged from 20 to 50 mm. The dry areas of the North East Region also received much needed moisture, primarily in the form of rain, with a large area centered roughly on Lloydminster receiving 40 to 60 mm. Unfortunately early in the week a cold arctic air brought significant freezing to most of the province, with many lands seeing over 20-hours of subzero temperatures over the span of a few days.
Frost Areas (Map 2 and 3)
Few of the provinces agricultural areas escaped widespread frosts early last week with many parts of the North West and North East Regions experiencing temperatures below the -4C mark (Map 2). Southern Alberta was also hit with frosts in the -2 to -3C range, dipping down to -4C along parts of the Milk River Ridge. What is most striking is the length of time this event lasted, with many areas experiencing over 25 hours of below 0C temperatures, spread out over a few days (Map 3).
Precipitation over the past 30-days (Map 4 and 5)
Over the past 30-days total precipitation accumulations are now classified as being at least near normal throughout most of the province’s Agricultural areas, with the exception of the Northern Peace Region where it is drier (Map 4). Much of the North West Region and the southern parts of the North East Region have received above normal accumulations (Map 5).
Parts of Camrose County and Beaver County are wet, experiencing one 25 to 50 year accumulations and many low lying areas likely have an excess of moisture (Map 4). In addition, several lands south of Edmonton and along the foothills, reaching as far north as the southern Peace Region, have received over 80 mm of moisture since late April (Map 5). While this is generally good for pasture and hay lands, it can make seeding operations more difficult These areas will benefit from dry weather over the next several days in order to allow seeding operations wrap up in a timely fashion.
Elsewhere, most of the Province has received adequate moisture for this time of year, albeit along with cooler than average temperatures. Even the drier areas across the south-half of the province have received 30-40 mm which serves as a good start to the growing season. In contrast, across the north-half of the Peace Region, some areas have only received 10-20 mm. These areas will need rain soon.