By Dori Modney

Below average moisture conditions continue for Alberta agricultural regions

May 13, 2021 | 4:28 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — As of the last readings on May 9, 2021, by Alberta Agriculture’s drought modelling team, it was determined that some areas across the west-half of the province have seen moderate amounts of moisture in recent weeks. However, extremely dry conditions continued throughout the North Eastern Region and parts of southern Alberta.

Precipitation ins last 13-days Gov’t of Alberta

Last weekend, widespread rain fell on a large section of the province, with many areas receiving at least 10 mm of moisture. In a swath from Swan Hills, down to Medicine Hat, upwards of 20 mm fell.

However, the rain didn’t touch most of the dry North East Region, as well as the extreme northern and western parts of the Peace Region, and parts of the South.

In the last 30-days, most of the North East Region, the northern Peace Region and some parts of central Alberta, have had very little to no spring precipitation and are below normal precipitation accumulations going back to September of 2020

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Precipitation in last 30-days – Gov’t of Alberta

During those same 30-days, the west-half of the province along with much of the southern Region has received at least 20 to 30 mm of moisture, grading to well over 50 mm for lands under the influence of the foot hills, Swan Hills and the Cypress Hills

The recent rains have helped to improve soil moisture conditions across many locales, but large areas with below average moisture conditions still occupy each of the five Agricultural regions.

Most notable are large pockets of one in 50-year lows across much of the North East Region and the north-eastern portions of the Central Region. These areas need moisture soon to encourage pasture growth and help keep soil from blowing.

In spite of the dry areas, Alberta is in a relatively “normal” weather pattern for this time of year.

Long range forecasts point to continued unsettled weather with the potential for moisture, along with temperatures on the cooler side of average for this time of year. However, for the up-coming weekend and into next week, warm dry air will impact the south region, and could dominate the area for several weeks.