Water Supply Outlook for Alberta
April 2006
March 2006 Precipitation |
| Much below normal precipitation was recorded for most of the western half of the province, including southern mountain areas, but with the exceptions of High Level and Peace River where much above normal precipitation was recorded. The eastern half of the province was considerably wetter in March. Much above normal precipitation was recorded in the Lloydminster-Fort McMurray-Edmonton region, and in Medicine Hat and another southern location (Milk River). Normal precipitation was recorded in the rest of southeastern Alberta (Figure 1). February precipitation totals are illustrated in Figure 2. |
Winter Precipitation (November 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006) |
| So far this winter (November 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006), much below normal precipitation has been recorded in most of western and east central Alberta, however below normal precipitation was recorded in the Brooks-Oyen area, below normal to normal winter precipitation was recorded in southern mountain areas, and normal precipitation was recorded in High Level, northeastern Alberta, Lloydminster and a small strip between Edmonton and Red Deer. Above to much above normal precipitation was recorded in the Medicine Hat area and in Calgary (Figure 3). Winter precipitation totals are illustrated in (Figure 4). |
Fall Precipitation (September 1 to October 31, 2005) |
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Much below normal precipitation was recorded in most of the northern half of the province. Generally above to much above normal precipitation was recorded in the southern half of the province, but normal to below normal precipitation was measured in much of the area between Edmonton, Wainwright and Drumheller (Figure 5). Fall precipitation totals are illustrated in Figure 6. Alberta Agriculture models soil moisture for non-mountainous, agricultural areas of Alberta. Soil moisture at the end of October 2005 is illustrated in Figure 7, which shows almost all of the province south of Edmonton is very wet and most of the agricultural areas in northwestern and north central Alberta are dry. |
Long-Lead Precipitation Outlook |
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Environment Canada's long-lead forecast for Alberta issued on April 1, 2006 for the April through June 2006 period is for below normal precipitation throughout most of Alberta, except for the northeastern quarter of the province which is expected to have normal precipitation. Above normal temperatures are expected throughout Alberta for the next three months. Environment Canada's long-lead precipitation outlook is available from their website located at: http://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/saisons/index_e.html. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) long-lead forecasts issued on March 16, 2006 for April through to the end of June 2006 is for an equal chance of above normal, normal, or below normal precipitation, and below normal temperatures, for southern Alberta. The long range forecast for July through September 2006 is for an equal chance of above normal, normal, or below normal temperature, and below normal precipitation, for southern Alberta. The NOAA reported April 6, 2006 that La Nina conditions are expected to continue for the next one to three months. NOAA's long-lead precipitation outlook is available from their website located at: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/. |
For technical enquires about this web page please contact Alberta Environment - Environmental Management Water Management Operations Branch at AENV-WebWS@gov.ab.ca
