Precipitation across Western Canada so far this winter has not been a complete dud, but it is still falling well short of normal in some of the areas that need it most.
As shown by the precipitation map for the winter season to date (Nov. 1 to Jan. 26), significant areas of central Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan have only received between 60% and 85% of normal precipitation (shown in yellow). Large pockets both north and south of Calgary have been even drier, with precipitation only amounting to 40 to 60% of normal (shown in orange). Portions of western Manitoba have trended drier than normal as well.
On the other hand, precipitation has been much more abundant across the more northern Prairie areas, with a band extending from around Edmonton to Saskatoon and down to Regina seeing 115 to 150% of normal (shown in dark green). The area even further north has fared even better in terms of precipitation (shown in blue). Remaining Prairie areas (light green) have so far received generally typical amounts of precipitation.
Last year’s winter precipitation was well below normal across a wide swath of the Prairies, meaning there was little in the way of spring run off to augment soil moisture levels ahead of planting. Following the summer drought, spring moisture will even more important to ensure 2022 crops get off to a decent start.
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