Ag Weather Forum

A recent turn to very warm and sometimes hot weather in Alberta and western Saskatchewan crop areas has likely improved conditions for seeding and for spring fieldwork. Soil moisture is adequate for development of winter crops and for any early-planted spring crops but may be diminishing somewhat.

The weather during the balance of this week and this coming weekend will feature mostly dry weather or with only a few light showers. Temperatures vary somewhat, as it is relatively warm today but will be colder Friday and early Saturday before warming again Sunday.

The outlook for next week suggests a rapid west to east storm track with minor disturbances. This area of the Canadian Prairies can expect a variable temperature pattern, but nothing that looks either too warm or too cold. This weather pattern is expected to favor developing winter wheat and rye and to encourage planting of spring crops, weather permitting.

The eastern Saskatchewan area and Manitoba also had some fairly warm weather this week. It did not get quite as warm as it did in the western crop areas and the above-normal temperatures lasted only a few days.

It has turned colder again during the past 24 hours. Snow cover has likely melted through most fields at this time. Flooding continues and wet fields continue for many areas after this snow melt and recent snow and some rain. Field work is limited, but may be occurring in the better draining fields.

The weather during the balance of this week and this weekend will feature a sharp turn to low temperatures for the area. A cold high pressure system is expected to form over the northwest Canada before dropping southward over this region during the weekend. Lows are expected to fall into the middle and possibly the low 20s F ( minus 5 to minus 2 C) by Sunday morning, possibly Saturday as well. This cold snap will delay the warm-up of soils and further delay the early spring planting season.

The good news, however, is that precipitation with this new cold front will be rather limited and warmer weather will redevelop early next week. The outlook for next week is somewhat uncertain, as there will be somewhat cooler weather around at times and there could also be some showers as well. However, this is not expected to be either very wet or very cold. This should allow for fieldwork to begin in areas where soil temperatures allow and fields drain somewhat.

Joel Burgio can be reached at Joel.Burgio@telventdtn.com

(AG/CZ)

© Copyright 2013 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.