Moisture Update - August 30, 2024
Synopsis
Map 1: Since August 20, 2024, the province has experienced significant precipitation events in the South, North West, and Peace Regions. Amounts in excess of 50 mm were concentrated in the foothills, as well as in the Southeast of Mackenzie County, M.D. of Big Lakes, M.D of Fairview, M.D. of Wainwright and the immediately surrounding areas, and Starland County. The northern area of Mackenzie County did not experience the same precipitation events as the southern parts and, on average, received less than 2 mm during this 10-day period.
Recent Precipitation Trends
Maps 2, 3 & 4: Over the past 30-days, the Central Region has experienced near-normal to high precipitation, with extremely high and some of the wettest conditions in Clearwater County and the I.D. of Banff (Map 2). The north east and northern sections of the Peace Region are still on the lower end of the scale, relative to normal. Since July 1, 2024, precipitation accumulations relative to normal have been variable across the province. We have seen a number of isolated storms, which is evident on Map 3. The current growing season precipitation accumulations for the province, are generally near-normal or better, as of August 29, 2024. The increase in precipitation events over the last few months has improved the moisture situation throughout most of the province, although these events may have been too late to really benefit the current growing season, they aid in setting up moisture reserves for next years crops (Map 4). Scattered areas across the North West and North East Regions would still benefit from continued precipitation events before freeze-up, as they remain low at the time of this report.
Soil Moisture Reserves
Map 5: Soil moisture for the agricultural areas continues to recover from the drier start to the growing season. The North East, Central, and Western areas of the Peace Region are lower than average, with most of the remaining areas for the province near normal or better (Map 5). It should be noted, that Clearwater County has reported some of the wettest conditions in the last 50 years, while Saddle Hills County and Thorhild County are experiencing much drier conditions than most of the province.
Perspective
Harvesting continues to progress across the province, while sunny days and warmer temperatures persist. Expect to see temperatures drop as we near Autumn, next month. Local forecasts for your long weekend can be found on the ACIS webpage.
Contact Us
Saddle Hills
Junction of Hwy 49 & Secondary Hwy 725
RR1, Spirit River AB
T0H 3G0
T. 780-864-3760
Fax 780-864-3904
Toll-free 1-888-864-3760
frontdesk@saddlehills.ab.ca
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