Reading Time: 4 minutes More than 500 tractors made their way to the motorways linking to Paris on Jan. 29, as walls of hay rose here and there in the capital’s arteries. French farmers vowed to blockade the Paris region until their demands are met, and kept up pressure ahead of a European summit on Feb. 1. On Jan. […] Read more

Opinion: Will protests pay off?
Political movements provide an important outlet, allowing farmers to express the anger they feel

Precipitation does little for Prairie drought relief
Most areas dryer than a year ago, drought monitor shows
While much of the Prairies received above-normal amounts of precipitation during the month of February, the additional moisture did little to alleviate dry conditions according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM).

Opinion: Alberta Outrage Machine strikes back at Charlie Angus
His private member’s bill was meant to get an over-the-top reaction. And Alberta fell for it
Reading Time: 4 minutes Well played, Chuck. Well played. You put the landmine out there, with a big neon blinking “TREAD ON ME” marquee, and as you knew they would, a bunch of righteously indignant Albertans goose-stepped right toward your private member’s bill minefield. BLAM. BAM. KAPOWEE. They gave it to you good; just like in a vintage Batman […] Read more

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

Warm spring in the forecast for most of Canada
Moisture predicted to be normal across most of the country
All of Canada, aside from Yukon and parts of the Northwest Territories are expected to see warmer than normal temperatures over the next three months, according to the latest long-range seasonal forecast from Environment and Climate Change Canada, released Feb. 28.

Companies in Ukraine see problems pile up, but most tough it out
Blockades, capital controls, insurance costs weigh on companies
German supermarket chain Metro and its 3,400 employees in Ukraine have worked hard to get their business back to where it was before Russia's full-scale invasion two years ago.

Fading El Niño to be replaced by La Niña: The Weather Network
Warmer than normal temperatures expected to continue on the Prairies
Fading El Niño weather patterns will be replaced by La Niña conditions heading into the summer, according to the latest seasonal forecast from The Weather Network.

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.