(Reuters) — Freezing temperatures covered much of the Western Canadian province of Alberta early on Thursday, raising the risk of damage to wheat, barley and canola crops that did not fully develop.
Overnight temperatures included lows that were just slightly below freezing to well below, according to Environment Canada data. The national weather service reported a low of -6 C in Edmonton, with the temperature in the provincial capital hovering between -4 and -6 Celsius during a five-hour period.
Significant lows were also recorded at Lloydminster (-5.3 C), Peace River (-3.1 C) and Red Deer (-4 C).
Parts of southern Alberta escaped the frost, while Saskatchewan and Manitoba mostly avoided the deep freeze.
Factors such as the duration of cold weather, how far below freezing temperatures reach and the stage of crop development determine the extent of frost damage. Temperatures lower than -2 C that last for several hours can kill crops.
