December 2005 Precipitation

Most of Alberta, including the mountains and foothills, recorded much below normal precipitation. Above normal precipitation was recorded in the Cypress Hills and Fort McMurray (Figure 1). December precipitation totals are illustrated in Figure 2.

Winter Precipitation (November 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005)

Much below normal precipitation has been recorded in central and northern Alberta, with normal winter precipitation in Jasper being the exception (Figure 3). In southern Alberta, winter precipitation is generally much below normal, except for the Pincher Creek area, Cypress Hills and Oyen where precipitation values are near normal, and the mountains in Montana, from which the Waterton, Belly and St. Mary Rivers originate, where precipitation ranged from below to much above normal. Winter precipitation totals are illustrated in (Figure 4).

Fall Precipitation (September 1 to October 31, 2005)

Much below normal precipitation was recorded in most of the northern half of the province. Generally above normal to much above normal precipitation was recorded in the southern half of the province, but below normal to 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

Environment Canada's long-lead forecast for Alberta issued on January 1, 2006 for the January through March 2006 period is for mainly normal precipitation in the province, except for below normal precipitation in northernmost and in southeastern plains areas and above normal precipitation in the Grande Prairie-Hinton area. 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 December 15, 2005 for January through to the end of March 2006 is for an equal chance of above normal, normal, or below normal temperatures and precipitation for southern Alberta. The long range forecast for April through June 2006 is for an equal chance of above normal, normal, or below normal precipitation and temperature for southern Alberta. The NOAA reported December 8, 2005 that ENSO neutral or weak La Nina conditions are expected for the next six to nine months. NOAA's long-lead precipitation outlook is available from their website located at: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/.