Water Supply Outlook for Alberta
May 2006
April 2006 Precipitation |
| Much below normal precipitation was recorded in the northwestern quarter of Alberta, and in the Medicine Hat-Cypress Hills and the Lloydminister-Red Deer-Edmonton-Cold Lake regions. Separating the above noted eastern and western zones of much below normal precipitation is a band of above normal to much above normal precpitation stretching from Pincher Creek to Fort Chipewyan. Above normal precipitation was also recorded in Banff, Oyen and Drumheller (Figure 1). April precipitation totals are illustrated in Figure 2. |
Winter Precipitation (November 1, 2005 to April 30, 2006) |
| Most of northern and central Alberta recorded much below normal winter precipitation. The exceptions are High Level and a small area between Drayton Valley and Rocky Mountain House which recorded below normal precipitation. Southern Alberta recorded mainly below normal precipitation, except for Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek and some mountain areas to the southwest, and some mountian areas west of Banff which recorded normal precipitation (Figure 3). Winter precipitation totals are illustrated in Figure 4. |
Fall Precipitation (September 1 to October 31, 2005) |
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Much above normal precipitation was recorded in a band across the province from Peace River and Jasper to Cold Lake, whereas northeastern Alberta recorded normal precipitation and the northwestern corner of the province recorded below normal precipitation. Most of southern Alberta recorded below normal to normal precipitation except in Rocky Mountain House, High River, and Claresholm where much above normal precipitation occurred, and the Drumheller, Brooks, and Medicine Hat areas where much below normal precipitation was recorded (Figure 5). Fall precipitation totals are illustrated in Figure 6. Soil moisture conditions in agricultural areas of the province, as measured by Alberta Agriculture for October 31, 2005 , can be seen in Figure 7. Soil moisture generally ranges from normal to well above normal in southern and western Alberta, with the most notable exceptions being in the High Level and Edson areas, which range from below normal to extreme deficit. Much of east central Alberta is classified as having below to well below normal soil moisture. |
Long-Lead Precipitation Outlook |
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Environment Canada's long-lead forecast for Alberta issued on May 1, 2006 for the May through July 2006 period is for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation throughout Alberta, except for normal precipitation for the northeastern quarter of the province. 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 April 20, 2006 for May through July 2006 is for an even chance of above normal, normal, or below normal temperatures and below normal precipitation in southern Alberta. The long range forecast for August through October 2006 is for above normal temperatures 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
