A cool, wet April has delayed fieldwork in many areas of Ontario, particularly across the Great Lakes region.
Recent data show much of southern and eastern Ontario received above-average precipitation over the past 30 days, with various areas seeing 115% to more than 150% of normal rainfall (see map below). Parts of central and northern Ontario recorded even higher totals, while southwestern Ontario saw closer to near-normal moisture levels. The persistent rainfall has left soils saturated in many regions, limiting field access and slowing early planting progress.
Temperatures, meanwhile, were generally near to slightly above normal across southern Ontario, though the frequent cloud cover and rain reinforced what many farmers described as a cool, dreary month. Field drying has been inconsistent, with only brief windows suitable for planting.
In its latest weekly field observations on Thursday, Grain Farmers of Ontario said just ‘limited’ planting has taken place in the province.
Looking ahead, the outlook for May suggests little immediate relief. According to the Weather Network, a broader weather pattern is expected to keep eastern Canada under a trough, favouring cooler-than-normal temperatures and continued unsettled conditions. Daytime highs are likely to hover in the low- to mid-teens degrees C, slowing soil warming and crop emergence.
An active jet stream is also expected to bring periodic systems through the Great Lakes, maintaining the risk of additional rainfall, though the risk of widespread severe weather appears limited.
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