Precipitation:
- Near-normal precipitation recorded across much of the Central Region (Map 3, above), but below-average precipitation (≤ 70% of normal) in parts of Clearwater, Ponoka, Lacombe, Red Deer, and much of the South Region (Map 4). The Central and South regions were lowest in the province, generally < 20 mm
Temperature:
- Most of the South Region and southern Central Region experienced unusually warm temperatures, typically seen only once every 6–12 years.
Snowpack:
- Warm temperatures and significant melting has resulted in moderately low to very low snowpack across most agricultural regions (Map 6), being especially low in the western Central Region.
365-Day Precipitation:
- Across much of the Central Region surrounding Red Deer, totals range from moderately low to very low compared to long-term averages (Map 8). In the western, south and southeastern parts of the Central Region, the annual precipitation accumulation is near normal or moderately high
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Soil Moisture:
- Provincial soil moisture reserves are low to very low relative to long-term normals (Map 9).
- Some of the province’s lowest reserves are in counties surrounding Red Deer.
Other notes:
- Alberta’s cold season (November–March) is typically the driest time of year (Map 2) and Central Alberta only receives about 15% of its annual precipitation during the winter.
To view all the maps, go here.