Drier-Than-Normal Spring Forecast

Producers in the grain-growing regions of Western Canada will have lower-than-normal precipitation levels to work with this spring as they try to plant crops, according to preliminary weather projections from an industry analyst. “The short-and longer-term crop models are calling for very little precipitation ahead of the ground freezing up for the winter, very little


Issued: Monday, November 23, 2009 Covering: November 25 –December 2

Last week’s forecast of a trough of low pressure bringing clouds and showers or flurries over the weekend didn’t quite pan out as advertised. The trough did form, but it moved slower than anticipated, which gave us the record to near-record warmth on Saturday. Then, instead of the southern end of the trough becoming dominant,



Revisiting Snow Fences

It’s been a long time since we discussed just what a snow fence is and how they should be installed. Even though I don’t think they are really going to be needed this year, I figured with winter once again knocking on our doors, it’s time to review how snow fences work and the best




Issued: Monday, October 5, 2009 Covering: October 7 –October 14

It’s starting to look more and more like we’re heading back into the weather pattern that has dominated our weather for most of this year: cool and unstable. Last week’s forecast played out fairly well, with the only fly in the ointment being the persistent cloud cover that stuck around early this week instead of


How Are Clouds Formed?

The weather page is prepared by Daniel Bezte. Dan has a BA Honours degree in geography, specializing in climatology, from the U of W. He has taught climate and weather classes at the U of W, and is a guest climate expert on CJOB’s morning show with Larry Updike. Daniel runs a computerized weather station

Sound Used To Probe Snowpack’s Water Content

AUniversity of Saskatchewan graduate student’s work with sound waves in snow may show farmers how much water is in a given snowpack. Measurements of a snowpack’s properties have usually involved shovelling, which wrecks the snowpack’s layers, prevents measurement at the same site more than once, and also can’t be used to track changes in a