Moisture Update - January 15, 2025
Synopsis
Since December 11, 2024, the agricultural areas in the province have received anywhere from 2 to 25 mm of precipitation (Map 1). Accumulations have been greatest through the southern portion of the South Region, with some areas even exceeding this range. In addition to this, a strip of land south of Grande Prairie, extending through the Swan Hills, also received in excess of 25 mm. In contrast, stations along the foothills south and west of Red Deer and west of Calgary, reported less moisture, ranging from only 2 to 5 mm.
It should be noted that late December and early January are usually a dry time of the year in Alberta (Map 2). Relative to normal, the 30-day precipitation accumulations (Map 3) show dryer than normal trends occurring along the western-half of the province, affecting each of the South, Central, North West, and Peace Regions. This is with the exception of the lands in and around Swan Hills, where near normal accumulations have occurred. Across the dry areas, accumulations relative to normal range from 1 in 3 to 6-year lows, to 1 in 6 to 12 year lows. Some areas of the Peace Region and in the mountains and foothills southwest of Calgary are experiencing at least once in 12 to 25-year lows for this time frame.
Winter Precipitation Trends
Winter precipitation accumulations to date (Map 4) and snowpacks (Map 5), are ranging above normal along the Saskatchewan border, stretching from Medicine Hat up through to Vermillion, with some areas even experiencing snowpack accumulations in 1 in 3 to 6-year highs. Elsewhere, moisture accumulations are trending towards normal through central portions of the agricultural areas in the South, Central, North West, North East, and Peace Regions, and trend to below normal heading west into the foothills, where some lands are experiencing 1 in 3 to 6-year to 1 in 12 to 25-year low snowpack accumulations (Map 5). Throughout the Peace Region, a mixture of near normal and moderately lower snowpack accumulations, relative to normal, have been found.
365-Day Precipitation Trends
Looking back over the past 365 days, precipitation accumulations (Map 6) continue to remain below normal across a large area from Mountain View County through to Yellowhead County, extending east to the Saskatchewan border. Similar conditions are being found throughout much of the Peace Region. At least once in 25-year lows are persistent on lands in and around Red Deer, with 6 to 12-year lows extending north through areas west of Edmonton, northwest of Grande Prairie, and large parts of the western Peace Region as far as the Northwest Territories. Across the dry areas, relative to average, year-over-year accumulations represent 70-90% of normal (average) with some widely scattered areas only receiving 50-70% of average annual precipitation (Map 7).
Conversely, land south and east of Calgary and Lloydminster, extending south to the US border and east to the Saskatchewan border, are experiencing moderately higher than normal precipitation accumulations. Here, some areas are reporting accumulations of 110-130% of normal (average), along with some relatively small pockets reporting accumulations of 130-150% of normal, which is positive for those farming in these areas.
Perspective
It is important to emphasize that this last 30-day period, on average, is one of the driest times of the year. In fact, across the agricultural regions, normal precipitation for this time frame only averages from 5 to 10 mm through the Special Areas, increasing to a maximum of 20 to 25 mm across the Peace Region (Map 2). As it is a relatively dry season, even above average moisture at this time of year is typically not enough to make a significant impact on year-to-date moisture deficits, nor would they usually be sufficient to create excess moisture conditions. For example, across the Central Region, just over 15% of the average annual moisture falls during the winter season (Map 8). However, across the Peace Region, winter moisture tends to be very important for the annual water cycle, with at least 25% of the annual moisture falling during this time frame.
Current precipitation trends across some part of the province, such as the below normal snowpacks in the foothills and throughout much of the Peace Region, are trending on the dry side, and these areas have been experiencing drier conditions for several months.
While some areas of the province are reporting higher than normal moisture in snowpacks, it remains to be seen if this will translate into improved seasonal moisture conditions. As mentioned, winter is typically the driest time of the year for Alberta. For agriculture, May, June, and July remain the most important months for receiving precipitation. The 2025 cropping season is still months away and there is ample time to receive adequate moisture. As always, at this time of year, we can only be patient and hope that sufficient moisture comes in a timely fashion for this year's crops.
Edited from the Alberta Government's, Agricultural Moisture Situation Update.
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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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