With just 7.6 millimetres of rain so far this month here in the Weyburn area, things are a lot drier than we have gotten used to in the month of May. While it isn’t the driest on record, it is shaping up to be well-below average, which is a concern for agricultural producers. The dry conditions carry some hazards of their own as well. 

“With it being this dry, with temperatures that warm, we’re looking at, still, those very dangerous conditions for grass fires, so people really, really need to be careful until everything starts to green up,” explained Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). 

The lack of precipitation in the area has seen livestock water supply shortages being rated as 30 percent severe, 46 percent moderate and 24 percent anticipated, with more rain needed to increase water volumes in dugouts, as well as improve the water quality. The topsoil moisture conditions are also concerning, with cropland topsoil being rated as 21 percent adequate, 56 percent short and 23 percent very short. Hay and pasture land is rated six percent adequate, 48 percent short and 46 percent very short. The lack of rain to help green up the pastures is also leading some producers to worry about the winter feed supplies, and if they will be able to last until cattle are able to be supported in the pastures. 

The lack of rainfall could also have impacts on seeding, as some producers in the Weyburn area are reporting they are holding off on finishing up their seeding until some more rainfall is received.  

There is a chance some of that precipitation could come to the area sometime next week, though. Lang stated they are watching a system that is developing. 

“Sort of mid-week, maybe Wednesday, Thursday next week,” Lang explained. “The weather models haven’t quite decided what they want to do with it yet, which means something is going to happen but we can’t quite nail it down yet.” 

There is also a glimmer of hope in terms of precipitation over the weekend. The forecast shows a slight chance of showers, and even the risk of thunderstorms, Friday afternoon, Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. The precipitation, if it develops, will be welcomed across much of the region.