So far, the weather models have been doing a good job with the medium-range forecasts, only falling off late in the forecast period. Of course, in the summer, short-range forecasts can be difficult, especially when it comes to just when and where thunderstorms will develop. I always find it interesting that a forecast could be […] Read more
Prairie Forecast: Alberta low looks to dominate
Forecast issued June 14, covering June 14-21
A hot end to what was overall a cold spring
The CFS model favours above-average precipitation this summer
Reading Time: 3 minutes The start of June is the start of meteorological summer across the Northern Hemisphere. The meteorological seasons are each three months long. Summer is June to August, fall is September to November, winter is December to February, and spring is March to May. Astronomically, summer starts on the summer solstice, which falls on June 21. […] Read more
Western Canada covered in smoke as wildfires loosen grip on Quebec
Over 200 of 449 wildfires now out of control
Ottawa | Reuters — Smoke shrouded Western Canada on Monday as wildfires flared again in the main oil-producing province of Alberta, while firefighters in Quebec doused some of the worst early-season blazes, allowing thousands of evacuees to return home. Canada is enduring its most destructive start to wildfire season, with about 4.8 million hectares — […] Read more
Drought expands across Canadian Prairies
Dry conditions push eastward in Manitoba
MarketsFarm — Warm and dry conditions across much of the Prairies in May caused drought conditions to worsen, especially in Alberta, according to the latest Drought Monitor report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. As of May 31, an estimated 79 per cent of the Prairie region was classified as abnormally dry (D0) or in moderate […] Read more
Prairie Forecast: Switch in pattern but summer sticking around
Forecast issued June 7, covering June 7-14
The weather models are doing a good job handling all the heat and humidity that has been driving thunderstorms and breaking temperature records across the eastern half of the Prairies over the last week. To the west it has been a little cooler and drier, with not as much instability to deal with, but nonetheless, […] Read more
Smoke and how it can impact the weather we experience
Smoke can inhibit convection, the main force behind cloud and rain development
Reading Time: 3 minutes Smoke from forest fires across the Prairies has generated questions about how smoke might affect weather. So, let’s take a break from our Meteorology 101 class and use this teachable moment. The effect of smoke on weather is not straightforward. Smoke can alter several variables and the outcome depends on the state of the atmosphere, […] Read more
International help rolls in to fight unyielding Canadian wildfires
Almost 80 of Quebec's fires currently out of control
Ottawa | Reuters — Allies around the world are promising to boost support for Canada’s fight against hundreds of blazes amid the country’s worst-ever start to wildfire season, which is fueling concerns about the worsening consequences of climate change. Forest fires continued to burn across Canada on Thursday, forcing thousands of people from their homes […] Read more
Late Indian monsoon to start in next two days
The monsoon is vital to the country's agricultural production
MarketsFarm – The onset of India’s annual southwest monsoon, which is vital to the country’s agricultural production, is expected to hit the southern state of Kerala within the next 48 hours, according to an update from the India Meteorological Department. The persistence of westerly winds over the Arabian Sea, the increased depth of those westerly […] Read more
Repeat of record Australian wheat, canola crops unlikely
ABARES expects 2023-24 crop down on year
MarketsFarm — After growing record-large wheat and canola crops in 2022-23, Australia is expected to see a significant drop in production in 2023-24 as developing El Nino weather patterns will likely cut rainfall through the growing season, according to the latest crop report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Dryness to cut into Australian production
MarketsFarm — Dry conditions and low soil moisture reserves in key Australian growing regions, along with expectations for developing El Nino weather patterns, are expected to cut into the country’s pulse production in 2023-24, despite steady to higher seeding intentions for several crops, according to the latest crop report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural […] Read more
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