Producers across Ontario are keeping a close eye on their local forecast over the next few weeks. Storm systems seem to be popping up sporadically throughout early spring, keeping farmers on their toes trying to determine a planting date that will be safe. That date is very important considering corn seed shortages and the non… Read More
Category: Weather
This time of year can be a bit of a guessing game for farmers trying to pick a seeding date. Early spring tends to bring with it some very unstable weather patterns. Just try and plan an outdoor event for May long weekend and you’ll get a first hand illustration. Trying to get your crop… Read More
It’s pretty bad when you’re so used to writing about extreme or adverse weather conditions that you look for a way to spin the current mild weather in Ontario. That mildness is the story for a great part of the province both over the winter and more than likely into the initial days of Spring…. Read More
This winter was unusually mild over most of the west this year. Although the lack of bitterly cold temperatures was more than welcome for most of us, we could all agree that we could have done with some more moisture. Over a large portion of the prairies, there was a real lack of snow cover… Read More
It wasn’t that long ago that I was complaining to everyone who would listen about how sick I was of writing about the wet weather and flooding. No doubt, not as sick as producers were of working in it, but that was a pretty depressing stretch for all involved. Let’s hope drought isn’t the next… Read More
For farmers looking for a different weather story than last year’s, you might be out of luck. Although most of us know that there is no sure-fire, 100% accurate weather forecast, the spring and summer forecast for Ontario doesn’t look all that encouraging. According to meteorologist Art Douglas, a short growing season due to moisture… Read More
With the exception of a few soaked areas, spring planting, even though late, and the early spring growing season went pretty well in Ontario in 2011. In general, crops progressed nicely through what could have been a real mess and there were some fairly decent yields to be seen across the province. So what can… Read More
So here it is February and we’ve officially had one week of winter…..I think. In fact, parts of the prairies this week will see extended periods of double digit temperatures. That’s great from a not liking the cold perspective, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been a lot of moisture to go along with that either. That… Read More
So far, across most of the West, it’s been what can only be described as an odd winter. Parts of the southwest have experienced hurricane force winds, a great portion has seen extended periods of plus temperatures up to now offset by short periods of temperatures in the extreme of up to minus 40. With… Read More
Do you ever wish that something would just happen? Winter this year has been that way. It seems as though everyone is just waiting for the other shoe to fall. One storm comes and we say “here it is, winter’s here!”, only to have rain the following week. The mild weather is nice and all,… Read More
As things have slowed down for us over the holidays, it has given time for me to reflect on the year that was. I can’t remember a time of more trying and yet exciting times. From weather to politics, there was something for everyone to talk about. Here is my list of the good and… Read More
Wet weather has really put winter wheat in a hard place for farmers in parts of Ontario. For starters, it pushed the seeding date back and secondly a large portion of it is sitting in some very wet conditions, conditions that can be very problematic for growth and development. So what does that mean for… Read More
If the past few days are any indication of the winter to come, I say bring it on. Unfortunately, we all know that this can’t last. Officially, we’re not even into winter yet. Winter will come, it’s just a matter of time until there’s a massive dump of snow and some absolutely brutal temperatures. It’s… Read More
White Christmas? If recent temperatures are any indication, we may have to haul in snow to make that happen. Although winter’s not officially underway, there has been a real unsettled pattern of weather leading into it. While it may not be as dramatic and volatile as late November-early December, as Chris Scott of the Weather… Read More
We are in the middle of a weather brawl, and it feels like it. Wild winds, snow blasts and other types of unsettled weather are making life less than pleasant for all those impacted. Until winter actually moves to settle in, we can probably expect more of this instability to come. This seems to be… Read More