Regina receives first real rainfall in September

Rain has finally fallen in Regina.

Most years this wouldn’t necessarily be significant. But on a dry year like 2017, some might view it that way.

“Almost double the summer rainfall has been added by this rain in late September,” said John Paul Cragg, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

He predicted Regina would see around 10 millimetres by Tuesday afternoon, meaning one day’s worth of rain was roughly equivalent to rain over the last two months. Cragg said August had 11.1 mm and July 1.8 mm, meaning nearly 13 mm fell over the summer.

Those numbers are way below the average amounts for both months, he added.  July’s average was 67 mm and in August the average was 44.8 mm of rain.

Tuesday’s rainfall was the first measurable rain since Aug. 24, the first rainfall over 5 mm since Aug. 8 and the first real rain of September.

“This is the only rainfall that we’ve recorded at the station in Regina so far so, whatever we get at the station with this rainfall will be what we’ve recorded for the month,” Cragg explained.

Precipitation will take a few days off before another chance of rain springs back up later in the work week. After that, it could be back to the dryness.

“The rainfall that could come on Friday is pretty much the last major potential rainfall that the models are showing over the next couple weeks or to end September,” he said.

Cragg also said the temperatures will dip later in the week. Friday’s high is forecast as 8 C, with a low of 5 C. Lows on Saturday and Sunday are expected to be 3 and 2 C, respectively.

Farmers focused on next year

The moisture that fell is welcome for some farmers, but the reasons are more for the future than the present.

“It’s too little too late. It could have been here a few months ago but I guess this will help out for next year for sure,” said Dustin Klym, who farms northwest of Regina.

“This rain will help and hopefully we get some snow this winter and bounce back for next year.”

Klym’s focus is now mostly on the spring. He explained how rain can be a benefit, but it would appear a lot more is needed.

“As far as this rain that we’re getting now, it won’t put a dent into what we need to get,” he said.

“There’s cracks in the ground that you can lose tools and everything down. Those cracks would hopefully be filled by next spring and provide some more sub soil moisture for the next crop.”

He said if it’s another dry winter, their yield targets may have to be adjusted.

As far as this year, he said he sits at around 95 per cent complete harvest at his operation. Klym said his yields suffered but the quality was good, the reverse of last year.

The main problem was both heat and wind. Klym explained he doesn’t mind either on its own, but the combination of both at the same time made this year challenging.