It won’t end the drought but parts of the Canadian Prairies saw much better moisture in August following a parched July.
As the map below shows, a large part of Manitoba – including the Interlake Region – has seen more than 200% of normal precipitation over the past 30 days (shown in dark blue). A large portion of south-central Saskatchewan, including Regina, has also been abnormally wet.
Meanwhile, with the exception of a few areas in Alberta, two of which bleed over into western Saskatchewan, most of the remaining Prairie areas received anywhere from normal to above normal rainfall during the same 30-day period.
The rain has come far too late to help most Prairie crops, although it may help add to a few bushels to later-harvested corn and soybeans. In fact, the rain has slowed harvest progress considerably, with Tuesday’s Manitoba crop report pegging the harvest in that province at 35% complete, up just 5 points on the week. The Saskatchewan harvest was slowed as well, gaining only 7 points from the previous week to 36% done as of Monday. (Alberta harvest progress will be reported later Friday).
However, the moisture has greened up pastures and helped improve soil moisture slightly in Saskatchewan. Cropland topsoil moisture in the province was rated as 1% surplus, 40% adequate, 34% short and 25% very short as of Monday, versus 1% surplus, 32% adequate, 37% short and 30% very short a week earlier and 4% adequate, 29% short and 67% very short two weeks earlier.
Aside from a few light scattered showers, most of the main Prairie production region should be drier over the next week. Any rain-related harvest delays are expected to be minor.
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