Despite record heat in early August, the month averaged near-normal temperature-wise in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Saskatoon and Brandon actually averaged slightly colder than normal. This was mostly the result of colder than normal nights. Daytime highs averaged above normal. As for precipitation, it was much drier than normal throughout most of the southern Prairies.
Several all-time highs for August were broken through southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan during the August 10th to 12th heat wave. Moose Jaw, SK was national the hot spot in August with a high of 42.3C. If you would like more information about records during the heat wave, please feel free to contact us.
|
|
Canadian Hail So Far in 2018
Overall, instances of hail this year across Canada are slightly down compared to 2017 across Canada. Some provinces, Ontario for example, have experienced significantly less hail in 2018 compared to 2017. Other provinces, like Manitoba and Alberta, have seen more hail than 2017. Also interestingly, there have been a couple significant hail events in the Maritimes this year, bringing severe hail to New Brunswick and PEI. The chart below shows hail so far this year compared to 2017. Note: hail season is not yet over in Canada and thus these numbers will still increase slightly. Our hail database contains detailed information about each hail event, so feel free to contact us for more information.
|
|
Early Winter Outlook
Looking ahead to the fall and winter, there have been signs of a developing El Nino in the Pacific Ocean. This could have impacts on the coming winter. In southern Manitoba, El Nino events tend to bring milder and shorter winters on average. However, a very dry year such as 2018 (4th driest January to August period in Winnipeg) tends to be followed by colder winters in southern Manitoba on average. As a result, these two competing factors heading into the fall and winter season make it more uncertain what southern Manitoba will experience this coming winter. It will somewhat depend on the strength of the incoming El Nino. If it is on the stronger side, the likelihood of a warmer winter would increase. If it becomes only a weak El Nino, a winter on the colder side may become more likely. As we head further into the fall season, the strength of the developing El Nino will become clearer.
When it comes to precipitation/snowfall winter predictions, it is next to impossible to say this far out into the future. In general, seasonal precipitation predictions have very little skill in the Prairies.
|
|
|
Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@weatherlogics.com if you have any further questions or comments.
Best Regards,
The Weatherlogics Team
|
|
|
|
|
