The main weather maker will be a trough of low pressure forecasted to develop over the northwestern U.S. today, which will then track eastwards over the next several days.
Prairie forecast: Spring trying to regain control
Forecast issued March 27, covering March 27 to April 3, 2024
Prairie forecast: Is winter making one last push?
Issued March 20, covering March 20-27, 2024
A sprawling Arctic high pressure system is poised to dominate the region, ushering in colder-than-normal temperatures reminiscent of January's grip, but not as cold. While cold snaps this time of year often bring snow, the prevailing high pressure suggests storm activity will largely skirt the area, save for southern and southwestern Alberta where significant snowfall is anticipated.
How volcanoes can both cool, and warm our climate
Sometimes an eruption can cool the Earth, sometimes it warms it
Reading Time: 3 minutes Volcanoes usually have a cooling effect on our planet. The ash and SO2 (sulfur dioxide) propelled into the atmosphere from an eruption tend to block incoming solar radiation, resulting in an overall cooling effect. Location is also important. High latitude eruptions tend to have less impact as the ash of SO2 cannot reach as high […] Read more
Prairie forecast: Very warm west, mild but a little unsettled east
Issued March 13, covering March 13 to 20
The cold weather has also been replaced by above average temperatures. The question I have been hearing the most is--has spring arrived or is there still a bit of winter left to be felt?
Prairie forecast: Stormy start in the east, warming in the west
Issued March 6, covering March 6 to 13, 2024
After what was probably the biggest storm system of the winter, it looks like this forecast period will see a break from the active weather for the most part.
Prairie forecast: Storm system heads for southern Prairies
Updates forecast issued Feb. 29, covering Feb. 29 to March 6, 2024
The weather models have come into fairly good agreement for the storm system forecasted to impact much of the southern prairies over the next 24 to 48 hours. An area of low pressure is developing over Wyoming with an inverted trough stretching northwestwards.
Volcanic eruptions and climate
Contents of volcanic ejections and location of volcano can change impact
Reading Time: 3 minutes Several weeks ago, I received a question about the Tonga volcanic eruption that occurred Jan. 15, 2022. I was asked what impact that eruption may have had on our climate and whether it contributed to record-breaking global temperatures last year. One headline in particular stood out for me regarding those high temperatures, but probably not […] Read more
Prairie forecast: More much-needed moisture expected
Issued Feb. 29, covering Feb. 29 to March 6, 2024
Cold Arctic air has invaded the Prairies much to many people’s surprise. We have gotten so used to mild spring-like weather that some people may be put off that winter has returned. For those who read my last column, this type of weather shouldn't be surprising since we are now moving into what can be the snowiest time of the year.
Prairie forecast update: Storms roll in
Updates forecast issued Feb. 21, 2024
The weather models are coming into agreement with up coming storm system. The low was forecasted to develop over southern Alberta on Sunday with widespread snow developing to the north and west of the low. This placed the Edmonton region in the main snow band with 10 or so centimetres forecasted to fall across this region. The snow should move out quickly on Monday as cold arctic air pours southwards behind the low dropping temperatures to below average, but only for a couple of day.
There’s still hope for a spring snowstorm
All three provinces have seen their records set in March or April
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s getting pretty late in the winter, and if you’re a Prairie farmer or skier — or maybe both — you might wonder if there’s still a chance for more moisture in the form of snow. As I have mentioned on several occasions over the years, March and April have seen some of our biggest […] Read more
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