The Almanac, a two-century-old annual source of long-range weather forecasts for farmers in the U.S. and Canada, said in a statement dated Jan. 28 it has been acquired by Tim Konrad, a New York City-based online publisher who operates Unofficial Networks, a news and feature site for skiing and outdoor enthusiasts.

WHY IT MATTERS: Regardless of how their weather forecasts check out, the almanacs have been a source of entertainment for farmers in both the U.S. and Canada for generations.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed in announcements from the Almanac or Unofficial Networks, nor did the new owner say whether any of the Almanac’s Canada-facing print and online content will also continue. Email messages to the new publisher haven’t yet been returned.

“I saw the announcement that one of America’s most enduring publications was set to close, and it felt wrong to stand by while an irreplaceable piece of our national heritage disappeared,” Konrad said in the announcement.

Konrad, also a co-founder of maritime and shipping news site GCaptain.com, said the Almanac will for now remain “fully accessible online” and “plans are underway to revive and expand the cherished annual print edition in future volumes.”

First published by Jacob Mann of Morristown, N.J. in 1818, the Almanac was eventually taken up by the Geiger family, whose publishing firm had printed the book starting in 1933 and acquired full ownership of the almanac business in 1949.

Peter Geiger, the Almanac’s previous publisher, said he’s “confident (Konrad) will honour its heritage and carry it forward for generations to come.”

‘Secret weather formula’

The Almanac last November said its plans to close “reflect(ed) the growing financial challenges of producing and distributing … in today’s chaotic media environment.”

The print version of the Farmers’ Almanac is an annual journal featuring regional weather forecasts based on a “secret weather formula,” plus astronomy information, folklore and assorted advice for farmers and home gardeners.

It is not to be confused with the Old Farmer’s Almanac, a separate annual journal now operated by Yankee Publishing of New Hampshire. That book dates back to 1792, when it was launched by farmer Robert B. Thomas, making long-range forecasts based on what the publisher describes as “a complex series of natural cycles and observations.”

In the Manitoba Co-operator, weather expert Daniel Bezte’s column in recent years has included regular Prairie weather outlooks which tracked and compared the accuracy of the previous outlook against those of both almanacs and of established Canadian and U.S. weather forecasting models.

Bezte’s monthly outlooks and other weather columns can be found here.

The post Farmers’ Almanac rescued from closure; fate of Canadian content unknown appeared first on Grainews.

Highlights

• Artic high pressure will dominate Prairie weather, which means a low chance of storms or significant precipitation.
• Alberta temperatures will dive from recent mild conditions before warming on Monday.
• Saskatchewan and Manitoba will see bitterly cold temperatures as Artic high pressure dominates.

Overview

The weather models did a fairly good job with last week’s forecast. Winter returned to the eastern half of the Prairies while milder conditions continued to dominate the west, especially Alberta. The models struggled a bit in missing a couple of weaker areas of low pressure that followed last week’s strong Arctic low. These dropped south out of the Arctic and brought whiteout conditions to parts of the eastern Prairies.

This forecast looks fairly straightforward. Cold conditions will continue across the central and eastern Prairies while Alberta sees cooler but not bitterly cold weather.

More weather coverage: Formation of winter storms explained

If I had to sum up this forecast in three words, they would be: Arctic high pressure. With Arctic high pressure expected to dominate our weather for at least the next seven days, the Prairies will see little in the way of storm systems or significant precipitation. Instead, expect plenty of clear skies and cold temperatures.

Alberta

This forecast period begins with Arctic high pressure sliding southward out of the Yukon and through Saskatchewan on Thursday and Friday. This will keep Alberta on the warmer side of the high pressure, but temperatures will still fall noticeably.

Daytime highs are expected to drop to around -15 to -20 C over central and northern regions by Thursday, while southern regions fall into the -10 to -15 C range. These colder temperatures are expected to persist at least through Saturday.

Over the weekend, a second Arctic high is forecast to dive southeastward through Saskatchewan and into the northern United States by late Sunday. The clockwise circulation around this high will help pull milder Pacific air into Alberta. As a result, daytime highs should moderate back toward the freezing mark over southern regions and into the -5 to -8 C range over central and northern areas by Monday.

These milder temperatures look to hold, with some indications of a stronger push of warmth developing during the second half of next week.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

This will be a short and cold forecast for Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A few rounds of Arctic high pressure are expected to dominate the weather over the next seven days or more.

The first high is forecast to drop southeastward out of the Yukon and through Saskatchewan on Thursday and Friday. The center of this high is expected to be over southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba by late Friday into Saturday morning. This setup will bring very cold temperatures.

More weather coverage: 2025 one of the three warmest years on record: WMO

Overnight lows Friday night into Saturday morning are forecast to fall into the -34 to -36 C range, with some colder pockets possibly dropping close to -40 C under the right wind and sky conditions. Daytime highs over the weekend will struggle to climb above -25 to -28 C. The one small saving grace is that winds are expected to remain fairly light.

A second Arctic high is forecast to drop southeastward on Sunday, delivering a reinforcing shot of cold air. This high will then quickly move south into the United States. This will allow a more westerly flow to develop on Tuesday and Wednesday. That shift should bring some moderation, with daytime highs warming back toward more typical mid-winter values.

The post Prairie forecast: Extended cold snap as Arctic high pressure moves in appeared first on Grainews.

Highlights

• Alberta can expect a continuation of sunny skies and milder temperatures with little to no precipitation.
• Manitoba will see temperature ‘whiplash’ with thermometers jumping between above freezing and -20 degrees early in the forecast period.
• Over the weekend and early next week, most of Saskatchewan and Manitoba can expect a return to cold temperatures.

Overview

Last week’s expected warmer and quieter weather mostly played out as expected. It was definitely warmer, and most places across the Prairies saw at least a day or two of above-freezing temperatures.

Overall, it was a quiet week weather-wise. But, as is often the case when weak systems dominate the pattern, the weather models missed a couple of systems. These tracked through the central and eastern Prairies during the second half of the forecast period.

These systems were not particularly strong and did not bring much in the way of accumulating precipitation. However, the presence of warm air created some issues, including pockets of light freezing rain and ice pellets.

For this forecast period, we are starting with a fairly sharp ridge of high pressure over Western Canada and a deep trough of low pressure over Ontario. This setup will keep Alberta and the western half of Saskatchewan in milder air, while Manitoba sees a quick return to more winter-like temperatures.

More weather coverage: Lightning gives and takes in Prairie fields

The western ridge is forecast to push eastward and collapse southward on Thursday. While this will allow milder air to return to the eastern Prairies, it will also let slightly cooler air filter into western regions. This brief cooldown does not look like it will last long, as the weather models suggest the western ridge will attempt to rebuild over the weekend.

The strong trough of low pressure over Ontario is setting the stage for an interesting weather pattern across Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan on Thursday and Friday. A strong area of low pressure is forecast to develop over the Yukon on Wednesday before tracking eastward across the southern Arctic. On Thursday, as this low encounters the Ontario trough, it’s expected to quickly drop southward into northwestern Ontario. This is a rather unusual track for a system.

While this low will lack deep moisture, it will bring periods of snow to eastern Saskatchewan and to southern and central Manitoba on Thursday as a warm front pushes through. Expect snow again on Friday as the main low tracks by the region.

Cold Arctic high pressure will then slide southward into the eastern Prairies over the weekend and into the first part of next week. This will bring a return to average to below-average temperatures.

Over Alberta, the building ridge of high pressure looks to keep temperatures mild through the weekend, with a slow cooldown early next week as the upper ridge gradually weakens.

Alberta

With an upper ridge of high pressure dominating most of this forecast period, expect a continuation of sunny skies and very mild temperatures. Daytime highs across southern Alberta are expected to reach the low to mid-teens on Wednesday, with central and northern regions warming into the 5 to 10 °C range.

A strong area of low pressure tracking across the Arctic on Thursday will help temporarily shove the ridge southward, allowing cooler air to move in. Daytime highs on Thursday and Friday will be roughly 10 °C cooler than on Wednesday.

This cooldown will be short-lived, as weather models show the upper ridge rebuilding across the province on Saturday. Daytime highs across the south should push back toward double digits, while central and northern regions warm to around the +5 °C mark.

On Sunday, Arctic high pressure is forecast to drop southeastward into the eastern Prairies. Depending on its exact track, slightly cooler air could move back into Alberta early next week. Little to no precipitation is expected during this forecast period.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

As outlined in the general forecast, an interesting weather pattern is expected to impact Manitoba and the eastern half of Saskatchewan on Thursday and Friday.

A strong area of low pressure is forecast to track across the southern Arctic on Thursday, pushing a warm front across the Prairies. This will help maintain mild temperatures across Saskatchewan, while Manitoba experiences temperature whiplash, with readings jumping from around +5 °C earlier in the week, to near -20 °C overnight Wednesday, and then back above freezing by Thursday.

More weather coverage: Hail research hopes to benefit potato growers

As the warm front moves through, some snow is expected, with a couple of centimeters likely.

On Friday, the main low will quickly drop south to southeast from the Arctic, reaching the Lake Superior region by midday. This system will bring occasional periods of light snow along with fairly strong northerly winds. Given the recent melting and episodes of freezing rain, the existing snowpack will not be easily moved, so any blowing snow will be limited to new snowfall. At this point, the system does not appear particularly productive, with most regions expected to see between 2 and 5 cm of snow.

Over the weekend and into at least the first half of next week, cold Arctic high pressure will spread across the eastern and central Prairies. Expect plenty of sunshine and cold temperatures, with daytime highs across Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan near -15 °C and overnight lows falling to around -25 °C.

Western Saskatchewan will remain milder, thanks to persistent upper-level ridging over Alberta.

The post Prairie forecast: Mild start before winter pushes back in appeared first on Grainews.

Highlights:

• The lows expected to dominate last week’s forecast broke down more quickly than expected resulting in a disorganized but mild weather pattern across the Prairies.
• Mild temperatures are expected to persist across the Prairies for most of the forecast period.

Overview:

Sometimes a weather system unexpectedly falls apart, and sometimes two weather systems fall apart. When that happens, the forecast can quite literally fall apart as well. This is exactly what we saw with last week’s forecast.

The two main systems that were expected to drive our weather were a Hudson Bay low and a large Pacific low. Both weakened and broke down much quicker than anticipated. The result was a rather slack and disorganized weather pattern across the Prairies during the second half of the forecast period.

This made for a not-so-great forecast but temperatures ended up being much warmer than expected, and as we will see, these milder temperatures look to stick around for at least a little while longer.

More from weather: YEAR IN REVIEW: 2025 a year of weather extremes

The a slack and disorganized weather pattern continues across much of western Canada. The upper-level flow has flattened out from west to east, helping to keep the coldest air well north of our forecast regions.

This weak flow has also struggled to push out lingering moisture and cloud cover, though with a slowly building ridge of high pressure, skies do look to gradually clear.

Over the Gulf of Alaska, the semi-permanent winter low remains in place. A weak ridge along the British Columbia coast, which is forecasted to strengthen during this period, is keeping most of the energy from that low either offshore or shunted well to our north.

This overall pattern looks to remain intact through the forecast period. This means little significant weather expected. It also means that day-to-day details will be somewhat difficult to pin down, as weak systems form, drift eastward, and then fade away, with no single system dominating the weather pattern.

Alberta

With no significant weather systems expected to impact the province during this forecast period, most regions can expect sunny to partly cloudy skies and only a very small chance of any precipitation.

A slowly building ridge of high pressure looks to bring increasingly mild temperatures to the region by the weekend. Southern areas will likely see daytime highs climb into the low teens by early next week, while central and northern regions see highs in the 4 to 7 °C range.

These above-normal temperatures look to persist right through much of next week, before the weather models suggest a return to more January-like temperatures by next weekend.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

A weak area of low pressure currently over northern Manitoba is forecast to continue weakening as it slides eastward into Ontario. This will allow for clearing skies after several days of cloud and fog. Wednesday will feature mild temperatures across the region, with most locations seeing daytime highs in the -2 to -5 °C range.

Weather models then show a slight southward dip in the jet stream later in the week, which should bring more seasonable conditions. Expect daytime highs to drop to around -10 °C by Saturday.

More from weather: The distant drivers of Manitoba winter weather

Over the weekend, a building ridge of high pressure over British Columbia and Alberta will begin to influence Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Expect sunny to partly cloudy skies along with a noticeable warming trend as milder air pushes eastward under the ridge.

Current model guidance suggests daytime highs rising into the 0 to +4 °C range beginning Sunday or Monday. These mild temperatures look to persist through much of the week before more seasonable conditions are expected to return by next weekend.

The post Prairie forecast: Mid-winter thaw expected under building ridge of high pressure appeared first on Grainews.

A few years back I checked on a number of canola and grain fields north of Edmonton that had been heavily hailed in late June. All the fields, encompassing several thousand acres, looked like chopped vegetable salads. The owners talked wipeouts for the season but I advised them to wait a few weeks. Well, by late July all the fields were growing well and healthy in a good-moisture year, but obviously a month behind in crop maturity. At the end of a rainy summer and a long frost-free fall, all of the growers in the hailed area took off crops close to their target yields.

Thunderstorms with heavy rain and little or no hail can, depending on intensity, produce as much as five to 10 lb. of nitrate per acre from the reactive nitrogen dioxide produced by the lightning. Such storms contribute as much as one seventh of the planet’s fixed nitrogen fertilizer.

When you observe a thunderstorm, you’ll see the lightning bolts of the storm repeatedly strike into the ground, unless of course there is some high-ground tower nearby. Have you ever wondered what that lightning bolt did when it hit the Earth?

My first test came in Ontario in 1972 when I was checking out a rutabaga crop that was partially infested on a lower part of the field with clubroot. For your information, a rutabaga is just a winter annual Argentine canola. I found there was 100 per cent infection of the rutabagas in this lower part — but there was one healthy rutabaga, plumb in the middle of this group. I dug up this rutabaga and replanted it in a University of Guelph greenhouse, thinking that I had discovered a new kind of resistance, only to find there were already clubroot-resistant rutabagas readily available but customers did not like the varieties. They preferred the very clubroot-susceptible Laurentian rutabaga.

The grower then took me to other parts of the hilly rutabaga field and pointed out several dead, damaged areas of rutabagas. These damaged rutabagas were in roughly circular patches 10 to 15 feet in diameter. The rutabagas were dead and wilted in the middle of the circles, but healthy on the outer edges. I guessed and said “lightning bolts” – the grower smiled and said yes. He said he’d seen these spots on his lightning-prone cropland for years before he figured out the answer. He complimented me on my guess.

Subsequently, in travelling around Prairie cropland in Western Canada over the years, I pointed out many times that these diseased “spots” in canola, potato and cereal croplands were lightning strikes, to the relative amazement of many farmers. I even diagnosed a “diseased” farm vegetable garden in the Peace region that was indeed a lightning strike.

Bolted down

Unfortunately, lightning strikes can be far more destructive when peat and forest land are involved. I remember talking to Canadian forestry researchers at Edmonton in 1986 about lightning damage The personnel showed one aerial photograph of forest stands in Alberta’s foothills with brown/bleached specks dotted here and there. Again, I guessed lightning damage, as a good guess, and they were very surprised. It had taken them a few years to arrive at lightning bolts as the cause.

The lightning strikes during rainstorms, which killed off groups of trees, did not result in forest fires. Now, with drier weather conditions in recent years, these lightning strikes have frequently started forest fires. The persistence of up to 60 or more of these forest fires in Alberta, for example, is due to dry or fairly dry peat bogs. The irony is that we have people who oppose peat harvesting for horticultural soil mixes without the thought that these drying bogs become major fire hazards during dry windy summers. Peat bog fires can last for years. Vast areas of Russia’s Siberian forests have been severely damaged by fires, due to fire control failures and indiscriminate peat harvesting and drainage projects.

Trouble in the trees

Another aspect of lightning damage is the surprising number of tree “kills.” When you notice in particular very large spruce trees, especially around the more southern Prairie farmsteads, you often see one or more dead spruce trees in the farm shelterbelt or individual dead specimens. It could be disease, or perhaps prolonged spring flooding, but a very common cause is lightning.

Over the years I have been asked to look at specimens of dead spruce trees, both white and Colorado spruce, in cities and rural areas. Many times, I have diagnosed lightning strikes as the cause. How do I know? When lightning hits a spruce tree in, let’s say, August, nothing is obvious. Unfortunately, by May or June the following year, the tree is obviously dead. If indeed lightning was the cause then the lower four to five feet, if not trimmed, will still be green. If the spruce tree is close to a house, the spruce can be healthy green up to the house eaves. Lightning will jump the last few feet into the house or ground. In a shelterbelt, lightning may kill one to perhaps four or five adjacent trees.

Remember, lightning strikes are very common on the Prairies, so when you see these odd dead patches of cropland or suddenly dead spruce trees, think of those summer storms. If lightning hits a cottonwood or pine tree it usually causes the upper branches to split severely, damaging the tree, which may not be killed, as with a spruce tree.

On the old fable that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, I have proof that it can and does. The Leduc Rugby Club (near Edmonton) has had to replace one of its 40-foot (13-metre) goal posts twice in two years, due to them being shattered by lightning strikes at the exact same spot.

The post Lightning gives and takes in Prairie fields appeared first on Grainews.

Highlights

• Manitoba and Saskatchewan can expect cold temperatures to settle in.
• Alberta will benefit from some moderating influences, with colder temperatures not expected to last long.

Overview

It appears that winter — or at least winter temperatures — has settled in across the Prairies as a well-established northwesterly flow takes hold.

This pattern is drawing consistent shots of colder air southward, and for many regions it marks the first sustained stretch of wintry conditions this season. The one area that may escape the harshest cold is Alberta, which finds itself far enough west to benefit from occasional moderation. More on that in the regional breakdown.

Currently a large, slow-moving low-pressure system dominates the Gulf of Alaska. A second, broad low sits over Hudson Bay and northern Quebec. The counterclockwise circulation around the Gulf of Alaska low is trying to pull milder Pacific air northward, but the competing flow around the Hudson Bay low is pushing significantly colder Arctic air south.

The Hudson Bay system is expected to linger through much of the forecast period. It will gradually weaken as it drifts eastward but will still act as a main source of cold air.

As the Gulf of Alaska low breaks down, pieces of upper-level energy will peel off and move into the Yukon. Once there, they will be swept along in the strong northwesterly flow and each wave will race southeastward across the Prairies.

Each disturbance will bring a familiar sequence: increasing cloud cover, the chance of flurries or light snow, a short-lived warmup ahead of the wave, and then another push of colder air behind it. None of the systems appear particularly strong on their own, but their frequency will play a large role in shaping day-to-day weather.

Alberta

This forecast period begins with an area of Arctic high pressure sliding southeastward through Saskatchewan. Its track should spare most of Alberta from the coldest air on Wednesday and Thursday. Late Wednesday, a compact low is expected to dive southeast through northern Alberta. This will spread cloud cover and flurries across central parts of the province, with light snow more likely in northern regions.

Temperatures will be comparatively mild, with highs of a few degrees above freezing in the south and around –3 C in the Peace River region.

A second, weaker low will follow a similar path on Friday. This should produce more clouds and another round of flurries or brief periods of light snow across central and northern Alberta. Behind it, colder high pressure will push southward, extending cloud and scattered flurries into southern areas as well. Accumulations of snow should remain light, but a quick couple of centimetres is possible.

More from Daniel Bezte: Snowfalls heavier than 30 cm are rare

Temperatures will drop Friday, with southern highs near –5 C and central and northern highs falling into the –10 to –15 C range.

Skies should clear on Saturday as the coldest air settles in, though the chill does not appear likely to last long. A third system will move inland from the Pacific on Monday or Sunday, this time tracking farther south. It will bring another round of cloud cover and scattered flurries, but also a return to milder temperatures.

By Monday, daytime highs are expected to climb above freezing in the south and to around –5 C in central regions. Snow amounts again look limited, though the track of the system should be monitored.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

A clear and cold start is expected on Wednesday as strong Arctic high pressure continues its slide southeastward. Daytime highs will sit between –15 and –18 C, and overnight lows will be even colder. Wind chills will be a factor. The high will move off quickly, allowing moderating temperatures to arrive ahead of the next disturbance.

On Thursday, a fast-moving low will sweep out of the Yukon and across the central Prairies. Temperatures should rise slightly, with highs around –8 C on both Thursday and Friday. The system will bring cloud cover and flurries or light snow, though amounts appear modest. A second, weaker disturbance looks to follow on Friday, reinforcing cloud and scattered light snow.

Over the weekend, another strong push of Arctic air will drop south, bringing a return to below-average temperatures. Highs are expected to fall back into the –15 to –18 C range, with overnight lows dipping toward –24 C under clearing skies. Wind chills will once again be an issue.

Early next week, weather models suggest that another Pacific system may help generate a low over southern Alberta. The guidance is inconsistent regarding the track, strength, and potential snowfall, so confidence is low. Some moderation in temperatures ahead of the system appears likely, but details remain uncertain. This developing feature will need to be watched closely as model agreement improves.

The post Prairie forecast: Northwest flow ushers in a wintery pattern across the Prairies appeared first on Grainews.

Highlights

• The Prairies will see cold and largely dry conditions, with only far western Alberta expected to see any noteworthy snowfall.
• Alberta will see cold air spill in over the weekend with daytime highs expected to drop to around the –10°C mark.
• Daytime highs in Saskatchewan and Manitoba will drop from around –3°C on Wednesday to roughly –10°C by Friday and remain cold throughout the next week.

Overview

Well, after several weeks of mild weather across the Prairies, it looks like true winter conditions are finally set to arrive.

A large trough of low pressure is digging across eastern North America. This will help open the door for cold Arctic air to flood southward.

Our previous forecast played out close to what the weather models were suggesting, though there were a few small but noteworthy deviations. First, the Pacific energy that was expected to move into central Alberta early this week did exactly that — but instead of tracking across the central Prairies, it dropped southeastward and moved through the northern United States. The low was also slightly stronger than anticipated. The Calgary region and areas to the north and east experienced that firsthand.

Related: Is a weather station right for your farm?

The second deviation was the warmer-than-expected air mass that pushed into Manitoba and parts of Saskatchewan over the weekend. Several locations broke record highs on Sunday.

For this forecast period, the low that impacted southern Alberta earlier in the week is now moving into northern Ontario. This is helping to carve out a broad trough of low pressure across the eastern half of the continent.

To the west, another low is expected to come ashore over southern B.C. and to track southeastward through the north-central United States. It will then be absorbed into—and help to amplify—the eastern trough by the weekend.

This setup will establish a generally northerly to northwesterly flow across the Prairies, allowing cold Arctic high pressure to drop south and east beginning this weekend. This cold air mass looks set to remain entrenched through the weekend and throughout next week. As a result, most of the Prairies will see cold and largely dry conditions, with only far western Alberta expected to see any noteworthy snowfall during this period.

Alberta

Most areas will begin this forecast period with sunny to partly cloudy skies as weak high pressure builds from the north. Temperatures will run slightly below average, with daytime highs across southern Alberta forecast to be around –3°C, while central and northern regions see highs near –7°C.

On Friday, a low pressure system over southern B.C. will track to the south of the province. Depending on its exact path, southern Alberta could receive a quick 5 cm of snow by the end of the day.

Once the low moves through, colder air will spill in as Arctic high pressure settles into the region. Expect daytime highs to fall to around –10°C, with overnight lows near –15°C—colder in areas with existing snow cover.

Early next week, milder Pacific air will try to push eastward. The models are struggling to determine how far it will penetrate as it encounters the entrenched Arctic air mass.

Areas that get into the Pacific air will see temperatures moderate back toward the freezing mark. This milder push will be accompanied by several weak low pressure disturbances, which are expected to slide south along the boundary between the opposing air masses. These systems could produce periods of light snow, with most of the precipitation confined to far western regions.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

A fairly short and straightforward forecast is in place for these two provinces. As the eastern North American trough deepens, cold Arctic high pressure will begin pushing south. Most areas will enjoy one more relatively mild day on Wednesday before temperatures begin falling on Thursday and Friday.

Daytime highs will drop from around –3°C on Wednesday to roughly –10°C by Friday under sunny to partly cloudy skies.

The low pressure system coming inland from southern B.C. is expected to track toward the central United States on Friday and Saturday. Southern Saskatchewan and extreme southern Manitoba may see some cloud and possibly light snow from this system.

Over the last week or so, systems have tended to track farther south than initially forecast. However, should this one shift northward, southern regions of both provinces could see around 5 cm of snow.

After this low passes, cold Arctic high pressure will dominate from Sunday straight through the end of next week. Daytime highs will generally range from –8°C to –12°C, with overnight lows falling to around –18°C, and colder where snow cover is present.

The post Prairie forecast: Winter temperatures moving in appeared first on Grainews.

But what about health risks like excessive noise and sun exposure?

Health hazards are often overlooked risks in farming — and while quite different from the dangers posed by farm machinery, they require the same proactive attention and prevention strategies as other farm hazards.

“The success of a farm is dependent on a farmer’s well-being. There are a lot of health hazards that can affect a farmer’s health, whether that’s hearing, sun, respiratory, or ergonomic, and they are equally as important as other safety matters on the farm,” says Kendra Ulmer, manager and clinical director of the Agricultural Health and Safety Network at the University of Saskatchewan’s Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health.

“If your health is compromised, that can create more safety risks. You can’t separate health and safety in agriculture; they go hand in hand.”

Listen up

A notable health hazard around the farm is noise-induced hearing loss, which can occur at any age from prolonged exposure to loud noises or as a result of a sudden loud incident, such as being near a tractor tire that blows. And there is no shortage of loud noises on the farm from machinery, livestock, power tools, ventilation fans, and more.

In fact, farmers and farm workers experience one of the highest rates of noise-induced hearing loss among all occupations. What’s more, research has found that almost 50 per cent of farm youth show some signs of noise-induced hearing loss compared to non-farming youth. Signs of hearing loss can include favouring one ear over the other, difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, ringing or buzzing in the ears, frequently asking people to repeat what they said, and cranking the volume up high on the TV or radio.

“The important thing to recognize about hearing is that once it’s gone, it’s gone. Hearing aids can help but they don’t replace your hearing,” explains Ulmer.

“Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and it is irreversible, but it is also 100 per cent preventable. That’s why it’s so important to protect the hearing of children and youth on the farm because the damage done when someone is young stays with them forever.”

In addition to potentially increasing incidents on the farm due to being unable to hear warning sounds, Ulmer notes that hearing loss can also affect a person’s overall health, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, digestive issues, stress, and trouble sleeping.

“For farmers with identified hearing loss, we strongly encourage them to seek support because it does contribute to their quality of life,” says Ulmer. “When we can decrease the noise, we decrease our risk of hearing loss, safety mishaps, and other physical and psychological effects, which means we’re increasing our overall well-being.”

So how can farmers, farm workers, and farm families protect their hearing? Some key preventive measures include:

• Look at ways to eliminate or reduce exposure to loud noises.
• Find hearing protection that works for you. Ears are all shaped differently, so what works for one person may not work for someone else. Try on different types of hearing protection to find one that is comfortable and provides a proper fit.
• When selecting hearing protection, consider other equipment and clothing you will be wearing, such as hard hats or glasses.
• Keep hearing protection in different areas of the farm where it is needed.
• Follow this rule of thumb: If you need to raise your voice to be heard by someone three feet away, then you need to wear hearing protection.

Sun exposure a risk even in winter

Another health hazard for farmers and farm workers is sun exposure. But, just as with hearing loss, it is preventable.

“The sun is a major occupational hazard for anyone who works outdoors,” explains Ulmer.

“With the amount of time that Canadian farmers and other agricultural workers spend outside, they are in the highest risk category for sun exposure, which increases the risk of skin cancer.”

Research has found that outdoor workers have a 2.5 to 3.5 times greater risk of skin cancer compared to indoor workers. With more than 80,000 new cases of skin cancer — 5,000 of which are melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer — diagnosed in Canada every year, according to the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, prevention and early detection are crucial.

“Farmers and farm families need to make sun safety a part of their daily routine and include it as part of their safety practices because there are serious long-term health consequences to sun exposure,” Ulmer says, noting people should check their skin periodically for any new or changed moles.

While many are conscious of harmful UV rays on hot and sunny summer days, Ulmer says those aren’t the only times when people should take precautions, noting the UV index needs to be monitored year-round.

“People need to think about the impact of the sun’s rays even when it’s cloudy or in the middle of the winter when the sun reflects off the snow. Just as farmers check the forecast to see about rain, they need to check the UV index daily,” Ulmer says.

Ways to protect against sun exposure and heat-related illness on the farm include:

• Wear a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses, and pants if possible.
• A wide-brimmed hat offers more protection than a baseball cap, which doesn’t cover the ears or back of the neck.
• Use sunscreen and reapply it every two hours.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Take regular breaks in a cool or shaded area.
• Try to limit outside work during the peak of the day (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.).

While health hazards are ever-present on farms, they shouldn’t be ignored. Being proactive can make all the difference in protecting the well-being of everyone on the farm.

“Farmers and farm workers are always looking after the land, animals, and equipment, but it’s crucial for people to proactively look after their own health as well,” Ulmer says.

“There is a lot of talk about productivity, sustainability, and incorporating new technologies, but we still need a healthy farmer. Because there is no farming without the farmer.”

The post Health hazards are often overlooked risks on the farm appeared first on Grainews.

Highlights:

• Alberta can expect mostly sunshine, light winds and mild temperatures for the first half of the forecast period.
• Saskatchewan and Manitoba can expect a moderate weather pattern with no major storm systems.

Overview

This forecast is beginning to sound a bit like a broken record. The weather pattern keeps looping, and while there are small variations from week to week, the overall theme remains unchanged. The only notable difference is that every repeated pattern comes with a gradual step-down in temperature, reminding us that winter is steadily tightening its grip.

We head into this forecast period with a primarily zonal west-to-east flow stretched across the Prairies. A weak upper ridge is lending a slight southerly tilt to the pattern, which is helping to keep temperatures on the mild side for now.

To the west, a significant low-pressure system continues to organize in the Gulf of Alaska, while another broad but less intense low sits over northeastern Canada. This combination is helping support the subtle upper-level ridging that has taken shape over the southern Prairies.

As the week progresses, the Gulf of Alaska low is forecasted to push most of its energy into northern Canada with a series of lows moving eastwards across the north. This will help to bottle up most of cold air well into north regions for most of this forecast period.

As we enter the last week of November, the models are showing some of the energy along the B.C. coast pushing inland. This will create an area of low pressure that will track across the central Prairies late in this forecast period. This low has the potential to bring a few centimeters of snow, but as usual, forecasts that far out are prone to high levels of uncertainty.

Alberta

A simple, largely uneventful stretch of weather lies ahead as weak upper-level ridging takes control for much of the period.

Ridging will strengthen from Wednesday through Saturday. This will promote widespread sunshine, light winds, and temperatures that lean well above what is typical for late November. Southern Alberta can expect daytime highs between 5 and 10°C, while central and northern areas should see highs ranging from 2 to 5°C.

Over the weekend, an area of low pressure tracking well north of the province could bring a few cloudy periods with the chance of the odd shower or flurry to northern regions. Across the south, skies look to be clear to partly cloudy with temperatures continuing to be above average for this time of the year.

More weather coverage: Western B.C., parts of Prairies received drought relief in October.

Early next week, another Pacific low is expected to push into Alberta and move generally eastward through the central part of the province. Current data suggests this low will weaken significantly as it crosses the Rockies, losing much of its structure before reaching the foothills. Cloudier skies, patchy light snow, and a general shift toward cooler temperatures are the most likely outcomes.

Once the system exits, colder air will slide in behind it. This will bring temperatures down by next Tuesday or Wednesday. Southern Alberta is forecast to settle into the –3 to –5°C range, with central and northern regions dipping deeper, likely landing between –5 and –10°C.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Much like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are heading into a calm and relatively straightforward period. No major storm systems are expected, and the overall pattern remains mild.

The forecast period begins with a very weak low passing through. This will bring cloudier skies paired with widely scattered showers, ice pellets, and flurries. This weak system will move into northwestern Ontario by Friday, clearing the way for improving skies and maintaining temperatures near or slightly above seasonal norms. Highs are expected to hover between 0 and 4°C.

The quiet pattern is expected to continue through the weekend and into early next week as a broad but subtle upper ridge attempts to build across the region.

By Tuesday or Wednesday, models show a developing low moving out of Alberta and tracking across south-central Saskatchewan and Manitoba. If the system develops as projected, areas north of its path may see a quick burst of 2 to 5 cm of snow before it pushes into Ontario.

Behind the low, a push of colder Arctic air will drop temperatures noticeably. By Wednesday, daytime highs should fall into the –5 to –10°C range, marking the first more widespread dip toward early winter cold across the eastern Prairies.

The post Prairie forecast: Quiet weather pattern continues with no big winter push appeared first on Grainews.

The Almanac most recently has been produced by Almanac Publishing Co. of Lewiston, Maine, offering an annual journal featuring regional weather forecasts based on a “secret weather formula,” plus astronomy information, folklore and assorted advice for farmers and home gardeners.

In an online message to readers Nov. 6, the publisher said its decision “reflects the growing financial challenges of producing and distributing the Almanac in today’s chaotic media environment.”

“Though the Almanac will no longer be available in print or online, its spirit will live on in the values it championed: simplicity, sustainability, and connection to nature,” editor Sandi Duncan said in the message.

First published by Jacob Mann of Morristown, N.J. in 1818, the Almanac was eventually taken up by the Geiger family, whose publishing firm had printed the book starting in 1933 and acquired full ownership of the almanac business in 1949.

Duncan and the book’s editor emeritus, Peter Geiger, said in a separate Nov. 6 statement that the Almanac’s website will remain online until December this year, while the 2026 print edition of the book will be its last.

The Farmers’ Almanac is not to be confused with the Old Farmer’s Almanac, a separate annual journal now operated by Yankee Publishing of New Hampshire. That book dates back to 1792, when it was launched by farmer Robert B. Thomas, making long-range forecasts based on what the publisher describes as “a complex series of natural cycles and observations.”

In the Manitoba Co-operator, weather expert Daniel Bezte’s regular column in recent years has included monthly Prairie weather outlooks which track and compare the accuracy of the previous month’s outlook against those of both almanacs and of established Canadian and U.S. weather forecasting models.

Bezte’s monthly outlooks and other weather columns can be found here.

The post Farmers’ Almanac shutting down appeared first on Grainews.