Balmy temperatures welcome but farmers need moisture

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This article was published 08/03/2021 (1830 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers can expect more above-average temperatures this week, but drier conditions outside the city aren’t ideal for farmers.

Warm southerly winds are set to bring daily highs near 10 C for the next few days and higher than normal temperatures all week. Sunday’s 10-degree high may have signalled spring’s arrival but it didn’t break any records, said Sandy Massey, a Winnipeg-based meteorologist with Environment Canada. March 7 has seen a historic high of 12 C and a lowest drop of -37 C.

“It’s still within the range that we experience, but this is way above average,” said Massey, who politely notes March weather is always “variable.”

“In a way, it’s kind of typical. You can have a warmer year or a colder year. We’re lucky we’re having a warmer year right now.”

A mix of rain and snow is on the way for parts of southern Manitoba by mid-week. Even a little bit of precipitation should help agricultural producers in the area, said Elm Creek/Fannystelle grain farmer Cam Goerzen.

“As a farmer, it’s such a waiting game. We’re just reliant on the weather,” he said.

“In general, most people are waiting for moisture.”

Less snow than usual this winter means a lot of fields are already bare.

“Most years, when it starts to melt end of March… you’ve got lots of water out on the fields. This year, right now, there won’t be any because there’s just no snow left,” Goerzen said. The land will need just the right amount of rain before late April to ensure a good seeding. There’s still time, Goerzen said.

“It’s looking like it could be on the dry side, but I think it’s too early to worry about it yet.”