Looking back 30, 60, and even 90 days on the Ontario and Quebec moisture figures and the trend is there: it’s been dry and quite warm.
The moisture situation is certainly not dire, unlike many areas of Western Canada, as there have been a few, just-in-time rain events that have kept the crop moving.
Drew Lerner with World Weather Inc. says that while the total rainfall to date has been less than average for the region, the moisture that has arrived has been well timed and that makes all the difference.
Lerner says that the pattern that has been in place for the last few months isn’t about to go anywhere any time soon, and farmers can likely expect more of the same pattern heading into July.
There will be timely rain, he says, but not in excess and not likely those few days of long, soaking rainfalls that can really bring soil moisture levels back up.
At play are the high and low pressure systems across the North American continent. The way the year is playing out, he says, we’re just not seeing those bands of moisture move north and east, and instead the moisture is staying south and too far east for the crop growing regions.
It’s not bad news, of course, as most of Ontario is in an alright position, so far. The eastern Midwest is also experiencing some of the same conditions as wind patterns push south and southeast instead of north, but Illinois and Michigan, for example, will likely get some needed moisture soon.
As for when this pattern might break, Lerner says, “It’s stuck,” and the trend of dry but just-in-time rain is likely to continue into August.
Check out the full conversation between RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney and Lerner, below:
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