Mostly typical precipitation and temperatures are expected for the bulk of Western Canada this fall, although more dryness could be in store for a portion of Alberta still badly in need of relief.
The Weather Network’s seasonal outlook suggests the months of October and November will bring drier than normal weather to the extreme southwestern portion of the province, including around Calgary. Near normal precipitation is expected elsewhere in Alberta but continued dryness in the south is more bad news for many farmers in the area who are coming off another poor production season caused by drought.
As of the end of August, much of southern Alberta was already being impacted by a mix of severe to exceptional drought.
The Weather Network’s long-term outlook also indicates the likelihood of generally warmer-than-normal temperatures in Alberta for the fall season, with a period of much colder temperatures preeceding a return to milder conditions for the end of autumn and the beginning of winter.
For Saskatchewan and Manitoba, near normal precipitation is expected for the fall season, along with mostly warmer temperatures. Like Alberta, however, the two provinces could also see bouts of cold before the mercury climbs again heading into late fall and early winter.
The corn and soybean harvest season for Ontario producers looks promising, with the Weather Network calling for extended periods of warm and dry weather through the remainder of September and into early October. Much colder weather and the potential for snow in some locations will then develop, before giving way to a milder pattern in November and for much of December as well.
Overall, the Weather Network described likely fall weather for much of the country as ‘fickle,’ as periods of colder-than-normal weather and early shots of wintry weather will be offset by extended periods of mild weather. The outlook also suggests Canada will see fewer storms than usual during the fall. However, a couple of the storms that do occur will have the “potential to be memorable, with a risk of excessive rain and high winds for many Canadians.”
