The Weather Network’s summer forecast is warning of heat and drought for Western Canada this summer.
Released Wednesday, the seasonal forecast calls for warmer than normal temperatures across most of Canada during the months of June, July and August, with expected dryness in the central US likely to spread northward and impact the Prairies. In fact, a heat dome is expected to be a persistent feature over the central US during July and August.
“We anticipate that this will result in widespread drought across that region, and we are concerned that drought conditions will expand north of the border, particularly across the southern Prairies, with the potential for significant impacts on agriculture,” the Weather Network forecast said.
As shown on the map below, below normal precipitation is expected across the southern half of the Prairies, all the way from the B.C.-Alberta border to the eastern edge of Lake Superior. Meanwhile, much of the same area is forecast to see not just above normal temperatures, but well above normal readings (see map below).
Some rain is still expected across the Prairies this summer, likely to be delivered via powerful storms and localized torrential downpours.
Moisture conditions across the Canadian Prairies are generally better this year than in previous years, although dryness is already becoming a problem in areas like western and northern Saskatchewan and parts of the Peace District in Alberta. Manitoba’s eastern Region and eastern portions of the Interlake also remain on the dry side of normal.
The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor showed 41% of Prairie agricultural lands impacted by abnormal dryness or some form of drought as of the end of April. That’s up from 32% In March and 23% at the end of February.
Rainfall so far in May has been notably short in northern Saskatchewan and the Peace District, while some southern areas – particularly southeastern Saskatchewan – have received above normal amounts.
