Reading Time: 4 minutes I’ve had a couple of really good questions over the last few weeks. One was very timely about the Polar Vortex, and the other was a question about the impact of volcanic activity on our climate, particularly the Tonga volcanic eruption back in January of 2022. Since the polar vortex question is a little more […] Read more
Anatomy of a cold snap
While the polar vortex is an important trigger for this phenomenon, it's not the only one
El Nino waning, La Nina to develop in second half of 2024
La Nina likely to affect production of wheat, corn in US, soybeans, corn in Latin America, analyst says
The La Nina weather pattern could emerge in the second half of 2024, quickly after El Nino transitions into ENSO-neutral conditions in the middle of this year, a U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday.
Prairie forecast: Stormy start in the east, slightly cooler west
Issued Feb. 7, covering Feb. 7 to 14, 2024
You can’t say it has been a strange and interesting winter. First, we saw a wintery end to October, then fall moved back in for most of November and December before we finally saw a big old shot winter in mid-January. Now we have been dealing with spring like conditions over the last two weeks – what’s next? Well, it looks like winter is going to try and make a comeback.
Prairie water users watch mountain snowpack
Alberta officials say the region’s moisture shortage remains dire but stress the situation could easily turn itself around
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – The best greeting for farmers attending the recent Irrigation Production Conference was the dump of snow outside the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre in Lethbridge. Inside, the need for that type of precipitation was laid bare in order to avoid a water shortage this year. The numbers tell the tale as to […] Read more
Warm seasonal outlook across country
Precipitation expected to be normal across most of Canada
Warmer than normal temperatures are expected to continue across all of Canada through the next three months, according to the latest long-range seasonal forecast from Environment and Climate Change Canada, released Jan. 31.
Prairie forecast: A little more heat, then slow cool down
Issued Jan. 31, 2024. Covers Jan. 31 to Feb. 7
The big question for this forecast period is whether these mild temperatures will continue, or we see a return to more seasonable mid-winter temperatures? All I can say is that spring isn’t quite here yet.
Prairie forecast: Warm weather returns
Issued Jan. 24, 2024, covering Jan. 24 to 31
For this forecast period, it looks like our weather pattern will undergo a shift back to the mild pattern we experienced at the beginning of the winter. It also looks like the warm weather will stick around for at least a couple of weeks. The million-dollar question is whether we will see another outbreak of cold arctic air, or will we see an early start to spring? Well, if I knew that answer to that, I would be rich, but I don’t think winter is over quite yet.
Western Canadian feed market cold, but quiet
General trend in barley pricing flat to lower
Extreme cold temperatures in Western Canada have done little to move the needle on feed grain markets as corn continues to come up from the United States and end users appear well covered for the time being.
Prairie forecast: More typical mid-winter weather
Issued Jan. 17, covering Jan. 17 to 24
For this forecast period it looks like it'll simply be winter--not bone chilling cold, but not springtime warm. The general pattern that appears to be developing across the prairies is showing warm air trying to push northeastwards out of the western U.S., but with a northwesterly flow across the prairies, it looks like there will be a parade of cold, arctic high-pressure systems dropping southeastwards every few of days. The question is, just how far north will the warm air push, or for far south will the arctic air push?
Prairie forecast: Frigid temperatures moving in
Issued Jan. 10, 2024, covering Jan 10 to 17
Coldest temperatures look to be over the western prairies but there looks to be some relief from the really cold temperatures early next week. With cold arctic high pressure dominating, little in the way of snow is expected during this forecast period.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
