July 21 and July 24 were notable days in Alberta. They were the only days within a two-week stretch when no hailstorms occurred in the province.
But in all three prairie provinces, the number of hail claims is greater than the five-year average as reported by the Canadian Crop Hail Association.
“Claim numbers are very high and producers are asked to be patient as adjusters work to cover all claims,” said the CCHA in an Aug. 11 news release.
Agriculture Financial Services Corp. in Alberta has also reported a high number of claims and said the number might exceed that of 2012, a record hail year in Alberta.
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In the south, CCHA reported some crops are being cut for feed due to severe hail damage. According to its list of storms, the south has been subjected to a high number of storms between July 18 and Aug. 4.
In Saskatchewan, the first three weeks of July brought considerable hail activity. A brief lull at the end of the month was marred by a storm July 31 that affected a wide swath in the province.
“Total number of claims received to date remains well above the five-year average and in many areas, rainfall continues to hamper adjusting activities,” the CCHA said about Saskatchewan hail data.
In Manitoba, one hailstorm July 20 that came north from the United States into Darlingford and Thornhill lasted for 45 minutes, causing severe damage.
The CCHA said on that same day, a storm entered Manitoba from Saskatchewan, hitting the Hamiota and Minnedosa areas.
