With the calendar now flipped over to April and the planting season fast approaching, moisture conditions across Western Canada are distinctly different.
As the map here shows, 90-day precipitation over a large portion of Alberta and into western Saskatchewan has totaled well below normal – the same general area that has been dealing with abnormal dryness and drought for about the past five years. On the other hand, the northern and some eastern parts of the Prairies have received above normal precipitation, so much so that producers are facing the likelihood of spring planting delays.
The latest monthly Canadian Agricultural Weather Prognosticator from World Weather Inc. said snow depths on the northern fringe of the Prairies and in parts of Manitoba are great enough to delay spring fieldwork simply because of the time needed to melt the snow and dry out the soil. Meanwhile, the potential remains high for additional precipitation in the wetter areas, it said.
As for the drier Prairie areas, the Prognosticator said generally better precipitation is still expected in 2022 following last year’s devastating drought. Some of the worst-hit areas in the southwestern Prairies may not see more frequent rainfall until summer, but there still should be enough spring showers to support germination, emergence and establishment, it said.
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