Killing frosts expected Sept. 13-18

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A killing frost is likely to reach across much of Western Canada this week.Environment Canada is expecting that the growing season will come to an end in the region between Sept. 13-18.Unlike last September when a ridge settled into the upper air mass above the Prairies and kept cold northern air from flowing south, there is instead a trough bringing in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. It will be followed by traditional fall weather patterns that result in clear and cold situations in Western Canada.”Last year was extreme. This year was extreme. There isn’t a lot of regular about the past two years weather,” said Larry Flysak of Environment Canada in Saskatoon.Weather conditions from drought to deluge have characterized 2010 in Western Canada. Last year, cool temperatures prevailed in the spring with spring frost reaching into July, followed by a warm September and late frost dates for most of the West.While no two years are alike, prairie farmers are seeing a few of the most diverse they have experienced in a while.”The upper air pattern this season is about as far away from last year’s as possible,” Flysak said about the difference between the Septembers of 2010 and 2009.The wet conditions in much of Manitoba kept seeding units out of the fields until late May and early June this year, while many in Saskatchewan failed to complete seeding.Killing frosts in recent years have been later, but this year’s weather is average with most of Western Canada expected to receive cold temperatures and clear skies overnight between September 13-18.Frost appeared only lightly in higher elevations in Alberta and Saskatchewan In the first two weeks of September.So far only 13 percent of the Saskatchewan crop is harvested, compared to the five year average of 35 percent.Wet conditions have halted progress and Flysak said drying of fields and crops at this time of year is generally poor despite the expected sunny skies and clear nights.

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