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Prairie forecast: Cold start for the east, overall warm, dry expected

Forecast issued Dec. 11, 2024, covering Dec. 11 – Dec. 18, 2024

To start this forecast period, the strong area of low pressure that tracked through the eastern Prairies is now over Hudson Bay. The rotation around this low is opening the door for a strong, very cold Arctic high to build southwards into the eastern Prairies. This looks to bring some of the coldest temperatures so far this winter to eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. The good news is that it doesn't look like the cold air will stick around long.

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Klassen: Feeder market continues to surge higher

For the week ending December 7, Western Canadian feeder cattle weighing 700 pounds plus traded $10 to $20 higher compared to seven days earlier. Calves under 700 pounds were up $8 to $10 on average. The markets in Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan were premium to Alberta in the heavier categories due to stronger U.S. and Ontario buying interest.


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Prairie forecast: Melting in the west, milder in the east

Forecast issued Dec. 4, covering Dec. 4 to 11, 2024

Things are looking not too bad for those who want to see snow or deep freeze temperatures. As we start this forecast period, a strong area of Arctic high pressure is dropping southeastwards over the eastern Prairies behind the strong area of low pressure that zipped through on Tuesday. Over the western Prairies, the weather models show a strong ridge of high pressure building over B.C. which is expected to transition eastwards.



File photo of a Saskatchewan grid road in winter. (Daxus/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie forecast: Short cold snap, then warmer

Forecast issued Nov. 27, covering Nov. 27 to Dec. 4, 2024

For this forecast period, it looks like some of the coldest air of the season is on its way to Saskatchewan while most of Alberta and Manitoba appear to miss the really cold stuff. The weather models are not showing any strong storm systems impacting the region but there a few weak systems that may bring a light shot of snow here and there.



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Prairie forecast: Winter settles in

Forecast issued Nov. 20, covering Nov. 20 to 27, 2024

You might be happy to know (or maybe not) that for this forecast period we should see a quieter but colder weather pattern across the Prairies. Arctic high pressure will be pulled southwards behind the eastern Prairie low and brings the first really taste of winter.




Marcus and Paige Dueck and their children Sutton, age 4 ½, and Brielle, age 1 ½, along with dog Stella and members of the family’s Brown Swiss dairy herd.

Marcus and Paige Dueck

Outstanding Young Farmers 2024: Finding that work-life equilibrium involves some trade-offs — and new technology

With dairy cattle, cash crops and two young children, the days are still pretty busy for Manitoba farmers Marcus and Paige Dueck — but new technology introduced in recent years has helped them be more efficient and find balance in their lives. For the Duecks, who are the third generation on Four Oak Farms near […] Read more