SASKATOON — Drought maps show the Canadian prairie region is in far worse shape than it was a year ago heading into spring. There was extreme to exceptional drought in much of west-central Saskatchewan and east-central Alberta as of the end of February. Related stories: “That area has been under drought the longest and has […] Read more
Tag Archives Snow
Three western U.S. states propose additional water cuts
REUTERS — California, Arizona and Nevada have offered what they described as significant concessions on how much Colorado River water they claim as their counterparts nearer the river’s source proposed more modest changes that would protect their rights. The dual proposals renew longstanding tensions between the two groups of states within the Colorado River Compact, […] Read more
Warm weather must wait for the snow to melt
The toughest part of spring forecasting is considering snow on the ground and how it will impact temperatures. In a typical year, when there is widespread and fairly deep snow cover, this can be a little easier. Even then, the forecast will often call for warm temperatures with highs of 6 to 8 C and […] Read more
Prairie snowpack is beginning to accumulate
I have been accused of it, but I am not a weather sorcerer! Yes, I talked about the history of big spring snowstorms, and delayed talk about lack of snow cover this winter, but that doesn’t mean I had anything to do with the snowy conditions across much of the Prairies in recent weeks. But […] Read more
Looking back at spring snowstorms of yesteryear
Most of us are hoping for snow this spring. Here’s a look by province at what’s happened in the past. Over the last 140 years, Winnipeg has recorded 20 centimetres of snow or more on a single day in March at 12 different times. The most recent was March 8, 1999. The largest March snowstorm […] Read more
Need for rain, snow pervades much of Canada
Unless significant precipitation reaches the West in coming weeks, the impacts could stretch beyond agriculture
MEDICINE HAT — Dry conditions stretch across the Prairies and beyond, with nearly half the country experiencing moderate to exceptional drought. It’s the culmination of several dry years across the Prairies. Pockets along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border face exceptional drought conditions as the growing season approaches. Trevor Hadwen, agroclimate specialist with Agriculture Canada, said the impact […] Read more
Most Alberta river flows within normal range
MEDICINE HAT — Water levels on the Bow River from Calgary to the mouth of the South Saskatchewan River are running within normal seasonal ranges as of mid-February and the Red Deer River is also flowing at average levels. Flow in the Oldman River continues to be below average. In a Feb. 12 update to […] Read more
Water expert warns of changes in runoff, demand
Canada Research Chair in Water Resources says mountain runoff in the future may come too soon for adequate capture
MEDICINE HAT — It will be increasingly difficult to predict conditions on southern Alberta rivers, according to John Pomeroy, and the University of Saskatchewan professor is confident that there will be changes to mountain runoff in coming years. Pomeroy, who also holds the title of Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change, said […] Read more
Communities feel pinch as river levels plummet
Interprovincial water agreement under scrutiny as drought conditions in southern Alberta take their toll on region’s rivers
MEDICINE HAT — Pressure on Alberta rivers due to sustained dry conditions last fall forced a Saskatchewan town to declare a state of emergency in early December. Combined flow rates from both the Red Deer and South Saskatchewan rivers fell below 42.5 cubic metres per second (cms), according to provisional hydrometric data. That led the […] Read more
Signs point to better weather
CALGARY — The weather cycle that brought drought to the Prairies during the past few years will slowly change for the better, a meteorologist predicts. However, Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather, Inc., says there could be challenges ahead for producers. This year could be better for some farmers and ranchers […] Read more
