After well above normal precipitation across much of Western Canada in November, there was further relief for parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan in December.
As can be seen on the map below, east-central Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan received anywhere from 115% to more than 200% of normal precipitation during the month. That followed on the heels of a wet November, when large portions of all three Prairie provinces saw more than 200% of normal (map also below).
In fact, according to the Jan. 1 Canadian Agriculture Weather Prognosticator from World Weather, the first half of the Prairie winter has rarely been this wet since at least 2006. The longer-term outlook for the summer remains largely uncertain, but World Weather added there is “rising support” for the wetter bias to remain during the second half of winter and into early spring. If accurate, that would be a significant help for many Prairie farmers who have been dealing with dryness and drought for multiple years now.
The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor showed just over one-third (34%) of Prairie agricultural lands were being impacted by abnormal dryness or drought as of the end of November. That was down from 57% at the end of October and below 42% in September. A further decline in drought is possible when the drought monitor is updated in the coming days for December.
However, not all areas shared in the December wealth equally. Southwestern Alberta was drier than normal, after the extreme southwestern corner of the province was also largely bypassed in November.
World Weather said the next few weeks should bring continued near to above normal precipitation and cool temperatures for most of the Prairies. February temperatures should be warmer in the west, potentially starting to melt some snow. Meanwhile, limited frost in the ground before this year’s snow fell may help get some of that snow melt moisture into the soil for use in the early spring, World Weather added.
