Moisture Update - May 8, 2024

Maps 1, 2 & 3: Since May 2, 2024, another major storm system brought significant rains across much of the east-half of the province, ranging from more than 100 mm in the Cypress Hills area, to 30- 70 mm through parts of the Central Region, and 20 to 40 mm across the agricultural lands in the North East Region (Map 1). In sharp contrast, most of the Peace Region received very little moisture, a condition that has been ongoing for several months. 

Recent rains combined with a large storm system that arrived during the last days of April, brings the 30-day precipitation accumulations to well over 40 mm across most of the South, Central, and North East regions, with large areas within these regions receiving well over 60 mm (Map 2). In contrast, much of the Peace Region and parts of the western portions of the North West Region received less than 20 mm, with some areas in the Peace Region receiving less than 10 mm.

Precipitation over the last 30-days has been at least near normal across most of our agricultural lands, with parts of the North West and Central Peace Region remaining dry and suffering from once in 3 to 12 year lows (Map 3). Drought stricken areas across the eastern half of the province are mostly trending to once in 6 to 12 year highs, with some areas seeing it this wet on average less than once every 50-years. Most of the precipitation fell over several days and had the opportunity to soak deep into the soil, which marks a great start to the growing season.

Maps 4 & 5: Looking back over the past 180 days, despite the recent ample rains in some areas, many parts of the province lying north of the Yellowhead highway, are still well below normal, with a large area in the central Peace Region trending to less than once in 50-year lows (Map 4). Here, pastures will need moisture very soon, as the weather turns warmer. With a complete lack of meaningful, winter snow packs in many areas, parts of the Central Peace Region have received less than 30 mm since November 11, 2023. Normal ranges from 100 to 120 mm. It is now imperative that the May rains arrive on time (Map 5).

Maps 6, 7 & 8: For most of the province south of the Peace Region, soil moisture reserves have rebounded significantly over the past month (Map 6). Across the Southern Region and the previously parched lands of the Special Areas, soil moisture is now above normal in many fields, and is up to once in 12 to 25 year highs across parts. Relatively dry areas west of Highway 2, between Edmonton and Calgary, are evident, but this part of the province is typically wetter at this time of year and, as such, it is estimated that there is currently 100 mm of water in 120 cm depth of soil ready to support early growth (Map 7). In sharp contrast, across the Peace Region there is less than 60 mm of moisture contained in a typical soil profile, which for this time of year is estimated to occur less than once in 12 years, with several pockets trending to less than once in 50 year lows (Map 6). Most of these lands will need at least 50-75 mm of precipitation to bring soil moisture reserves to near normal for this time of year (Map 8).