CBC Alberta and Saskatchewan have teamed up for a new series on weather and climate change in the Prades. Meteorologist Christy Climenhaga will bring her expert voice to the conversation to help explain weather phenomena and climate change and how it affects everyday life.
After the record heat and dry weather of last year, the rain this spring and summer has been welcome for many in the Prades.
However, despite all the rains, drought conditions continue in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
And while it seems like this extra rain blow is the solution to the drought, is that enough? While it may be hard to believe, the answer is probably no.
Trevor Hadwen, an agro-climate specialist in Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food, says many parts of western Saskatchewan and most of southern Alberta are suffering from moderate to severe drought.
Last summer’s drought was the worst in about 70 years due to the extent and severity of the drought, according to Agriculture and Agrifood Canada.
Hadwen says this spring’s rain is not enough to make up for the loss of moisture.
“The fact that conditions have been improving does not mean that all the impacts of last year’s drought will be resolved,” he says.
Pastures throughout the Prairie region are below normal levels in terms of production based on the dry autumn period. According to Hadwen, there are also problems with hay and feed shortages.
“The moisture we have received this spring has certainly improved the situation, but there are still many problems in the agricultural sector that we are trying to address.”
The sky opened in June
This June has been marked by incredible rainfall in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Edmonton has seen almost twice the normal June rains so far.
Calgary saw the Bow River flood and the city declared a local state of emergency, and in Saskatchewan, heavy storms with flood rains turned parking lots into swimming pools.
This, combined with the higher snowfalls of last winter, has meant relief for many drought-affected areas.
“We’re seeing some improvement in terms of the severity of the drought across Alberta,” Hadwen says.
West Saskatchewan has also experienced some improvement, but the central region around Rosetown, Kindersley and Leader is still pretty dry, he says.
Question of quality
So how can we still be talking about drought in the midst of flood rains? Hadwen says there are a few factors at stake. One has to do with how quickly part of this month’s rain has fallen.
“If you’re looking at recharging your water supply, these big rain events certainly help,” he says.
According to Hadwen, this rain will fill the dugouts and reservoirs, but for things like soil moisture and soil reserves it’s a different story.
“These heavy rains tend to run much harder and get into the water supply and not benefit our groundwater, our reserves, and soil moisture,” Hadwen says.
Variety in rainfall amounts is also a factor. In Saskatoon alone, heavy rain on June 20 brought more than 100 millimeters of rain to some parts of the city, but only a millimeter of rain was recorded at the airport.
Farmers also experience these same geographical variations.
Farmer Del Erickson, left, and his grandson during the harvest on his farm in southwestern Saskatchewan in September 2017. (Submitted by Del Erickson)
Del Erickson is a retired farmer who lives about 30 miles east of Leader, Sask., In the southwest corner of the province. The area was still in drought conditions this spring after being mined by moisture last year.
“Many of the dugouts were dry and there were virtually no wetlands last summer. And those that did have some water, they practically dried up.”
Erickson says the crops around his area came up reasonably well despite that. He says although there was enough moisture to begin with, they suffered a bit before there was heavy rain.
“They’ve improved since the recent rains, but especially the previous crops that had a bit of growth, they’ve been damaged quite a bit. And they can’t be fully recovered.”
He says a trip from Saskatoon to his land in the southwest proves that crops have not recovered as much as he would have thought.
“It’s going to be a poor year in a lot of the areas I’ve seen.”
Meanwhile, downtown Alberta producers are feeling some relief. This is according to Charlotte Wasylik, who raises cattle, sheep and chickens as well as barley, oats and alfalfa with her family near Vermilion, Alta.
Charlotte Wasylik, right, and her family farm cattle, sheep and chickens, as well as barley, oats and alfalfa near Vermilion, Alta. (Darren Jacknisky)
Wasylik says last year there was a strain on his farm, especially the fodder.
“Last year at that time we were getting ready to cut the hay and we usually didn’t start until mid-July. Everything was drying up to a crunchy,” he says.
Wasylik says they had less than half the number of hay bales than usual due to the harsh, hot weather, which can be stressful for winter feeding.
“We had about a day of feed left for all of our animals until we moved them. And that’s a really scary position.”
This year’s rain in central Alberta has relieved Wasylik and his family.
“As soon as it started to rain, we felt a little better. So we’re at a really good point. All the pastures and fields look really good.” she says.
He adds that the weather must continue to cooperate to fully recover from last year’s drought.
“We will always cross our fingers in the rain and never rely too much on the humidity level. As long as we arrive in mid-July and there is still good moisture coming from the sky, you will be very happy.”
How much rain is really enough?
Due to the duration and severity of the current drought, recovery will need time for soil and plant life.
“Plant communities take longer to continue to develop and to rest and return to what they should be in a mature state,” Hadwen says.
How will the increase in drought in the Prades
As the weather continues to warm, the Prades will see more and less rainfall. This is explained by CBC meteorologist Christy Climenhaga.
“So even in areas of Manitoba that have flooding, we’re still dealing with all of these same issues.”
Hadwen says areas that are still in drought conditions are still looking for about 60 to 80 millimeters in terms of their annual moisture deficit, or how dry the soil is compared to the water it may contain. . But as our dry years add up, recovering from this deficit does not completely solve the problem.
“Even compensating for this annual deficit doesn’t really recharge the whole system, but it will certainly bring us back to normal in terms of pasture production, annual crop development and water supply.”
And since we’re just coming out of this drought, it’s a slippery slope where we can fall back easily.
“Certainly, in the western prairies right now, where we don’t have this good accumulated underground moisture, we will again be in a drought situation with two or three weeks of warm, dry conditions.”
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