An early 2023 weather outlook

It’s very early days yet but it could be a snowy winter and wet spring

Due to the timing of deadlines this holiday season, I cannot provide the usual weather forecast. Instead, I thought we would have a little fun and take a brief look at the latest long-range outlooks for 2023. I will dig deeper into this topic in January and examine some of the factors that may drive



A drone’s-eye view of crews repairing a levee, north of the Cosumnes River, after it was breached by heavy rains and flooded Sacramento County roads and properties near Wilton, just southeast of Sacramento, on Jan. 2, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Fred Greaves)

Northern California deluge’s current rainfall level expected again

Flood risk to continue into next week

MarketsFarm — While the deluge of rain over northern California took a day’s break on Tuesday, agricultural meteorologist Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. said the heavy precipitation would soon resume. Following the worst drought in California history, the state has been receiving very intense precipitation that’s brought flooding to its northern areas. “It will

Taking a historical look at holiday weather

The Christmas period has been relatively dry and storm-free, with some exceptions

Every few years I like to revisit the topic of the perfect Christmas holiday weather. In some years we worry whether we will see a white Christmas. This year, not so much. As I look back over the years of writing weather articles around the holiday season, it seems when I approach this particular topic,


CBOT March 2023 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans ease on South American rainfall

Forecasts of freezing weather in U.S. Midwest support wheat; corn near even

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures dropped on Thursday, pressured by South American forecasts for more rain which could relieve parched soy crops in Argentina. Corn and wheat weakened, holding on to some of the previous day’s gains as extreme winter weather threatens winter wheat crops in the U.S. Plains and Midwest. The Chicago

Understanding wind chill and the polar vortex

There’s a lot of science behind both but you wouldn’t know it from the media

We are starting to see some cold weather. A short-lived cold snap from Dec. 5 to 7 saw overnight lows in the -30s in most areas, with some regions (including my own backyard) seeing lows in the -36 to -38 C range. This cold weather got me thinking about different cold weather topics and I found we have


Weather: Major storm a possibility but not certainty

Forecast issued December 9, covering the period from December 14 to December 21, 2022

We are starting to see a trend in medium-range weather forecasts this winter. The first half of the forecasts are turning out well but the second halves are struggling. Last issue’s forecast followed this pattern, with the call for a cold start and then a quick return to milder temperatures. In the second half of

CBOT March 2023 corn with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn, wheat futures ease

Chicago soybean futures firm

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and wheat futures fell on Wednesday after hitting 11-day highs a day earlier as traders waited for more bullish news before pushing grain prices above those recent peaks. Soybeans were firm, shedding overnight weakness, with investors hoping that export demand for U.S. supplies of the oilseed will remain strong


Winter forecasts can be a real mixed bag

With the first full month of winter past, it’s been all over the map

Holy cow, it’s hard to believe we are into the last month of 2022. From a climatological point of view, we have just finished the first full month of winter across the Prairies. For those who are more astronomical, we are now entering the first full month of winter. No matter which way you view

Snowmobiling is a fun recreational activity, but it can be dangerous too.

Province reminds snowmobile riders of winter rules

Multiple fatalities occur every winter in the province

The provincial government is reminding snowmobile enthusiasts to follow the rules this winter. Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development says conservation officers will be conducting snowmobile patrols throughout the winter to help ensure public safety. Snowmobile accidents and fatalities have been on the rise in Manitoba in recent years. In 2021, there were 15 serious