(Resource News International) — Environment Canada’s forecasts point to the potential for a mild frost in central Alberta early next week, which could lead to downgrading of some canola crops.
However, many crops are already harvested in the region, and any damage will be dependent on the severity of any frost, according to a provincial frost crop specialist.
Environment Canada’s weather models now point to a low of -2°C on Monday (Sept. 21) in Red Deer and surrounding areas of central Alberta. Overnight lows in other parts of the province are forecast to be only slightly above the freezing mark on Sept. 21.
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Daytime temperatures in the region for the next week are still forecast to be relatively warm, in the upper teens to mid-20s.
Over half of the crops in the central Alberta region are already harvested and most of the remainder is laying in swath, said Neil Whatley, a crops specialist with the province’s Ag-Info Centre at Stettler.
With the pea harvest finished and the cereal harvest moving quickly, he said the only concern a frost would create at this time is for some of the later canola crops.
While canola is also being harvested, Whatley said any unripe fields would run the risk of having more green seed set if there was a frost next week.
However, he added, those fields most susceptible to a frost at this point were already unlikely to make it, given their delayed maturity.
“If it’s -1°C, no problem. If it’s -3 or -4°C, then there would be a problem,” Whatley added on the potential for frost damage to those crops remaining in the fields.
