May 2002

WEATHER BRIEFS

Canadian Prairies:  Cold Weather And Some Dryness Raise Questions For Crop Prospects

While April 2002 precipitation was near normal (which is generally light) across much of the Prairie Provinces, soil moisture is relatively low as a result of last year’s drought.  April precipitation both in the form of snow and rain was only about 25 millimeters across Manitoba, southern Saskatchewan, and much of Alberta.  Precipitation was lighter across the major spring grain growing area of central Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta.  Temperatures average 9 to 15 degrees C below normal during April and colder than normal temperatures have continued into the first week of May.  As a result, spring grain planting is lagging behind normal.

 Northwestern Africa:  Rains Touched All Winter Grain Areas During April

As of the first week of May 2002, winter grains were in the late filling to maturing stages across Northwestern Africa.  In general during April, rainfall shifted from week to week from Morocco and western Algeria to Tunisia and eastern Algeria.  During the first week of April, 10 to 50 millimeters of much needed rain fell across Tunisia’s northern growing area.  This rainfall stabilized crop conditions after several weeks of dryness.  Morocco and western Algeria also saw moderate showers that week with rainfall amounts ranging from 25 to 65 millimeters.  Moderate rain again fell across Morocco and western Algeria the following week.  However, during that second week of April, dry weather again stressed winter grains in eastern Algeria and Tunisia.  During the third week of April, rainfall shifted to central Algeria and light rain fell across eastern Algeria and Tunisia, providing some relief for filling grains.  From April 21 through 27, light showers, from 10 to 25 millimeters, again provided late-season moisture for filling grains in eastern Algeria and Tunisia. Only light and scattered rain fell across eastern Algeria and Tunisia during the first week of May.  Warmer temperatures that week also hastened the maturation of winter grains.

 Brazil and Argentina:  Heavy Rains Caused Flooding In Argentina While Drier Weather Hurt Crops in Central Brazil

During April 2002, a persistent pattern of high pressure sat over south-central Brazil and caused drought to develop in Parana, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Sao Paulo, severely stressing winter corn.  Rains finally returned to a portion of Parana during the week of April 28 through May 4.  While this rain brought some drought relief, much more moisture is needed to make up for the earlier shortfall, especially since the corn is entering the moisture critical reproductive and filling stages.  While Brazil suffered from this drought, portions of northern Argentina received week after week of excessive rainfall.  This poorly timed rain interfered with cotton and further south to a lesser extent with oil seed harvest.  As of April 26, nationwide, corn, soybeans, sunflower, and sorghum all lagged behind recent years harvest progress.

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