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Most areas of the prairies received some rainfall over the weekend.
Environment Canada issued a number of special weather statements warning about significant rainfall and the potential for flooding in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Many areas saw torrential rain and even tornadoes that caused significant damage, along with cooler temperatures and a risk of frost in some areas in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Alberta didn't just experience heavy rain but also snow. Environment Canada reported about 30 centimetres of snow fell in parts of Kananaskis Country and the Alberta foothills, while about 72 millimetres of rain fell at the Calgary airport.
In Saskatchewan, weekend rain hit the majority of the province with amounts ranging from 25 millimetres up to 100 millimetres in some areas which resulted in flash flooding in low lying areas.
In Manitoba, it was a similar story with rain fall amounts of up to 100 millimetres expected to hit the southeast part of the province on Sunday.
Leading into the weekend weather, some areas across the prairies last week also reported high winds, funnel clouds, and even tornadoes.
The wicked weather is not something farmers had wanted to see, but areas that received a slow, steady rainfall are pleased.
While the moisture was welcome in many areas, the intensity of the storms is expected to have resulted in some crop damage.
Farmers will be out doing field by field assessments over the coming days to see just what kind of impact the rains had.
Just what kind of damage this will mean for crops is as varied as the weather, depending on the crops development.
Last week's Prairie Crop Reports showed with the crop in the ground, farmers were busy with spraying.
Crop conditions varied across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, with more moisture needed in many areas.
Alberta's Crop Report up to June 17th showed recent rainfall brought some relief to the Central and North East regions, but dryland crops and pastures in the South Region remain under stress due to ongoing dry conditions. Provincial crop conditions at the time were rated 50 per cent good to excellent. With the weekend precipitation moisture conditions throughout the province are expected to improve. According to the latest report major crops are currently all rated below their historical averages, with good to excellent conditions ranging from 45 per cent for canola to 52 per cent for dry peas. While conditions have varied, crop development remains ahead of typical seasonal progress, with spring cereals nearing stem elongation and fall-seeded crops well into flowering. Canola and dry peas are progressing quickly in the South Region. About 40 per cent of canola is in the rosette stage, with 5 per cent already flowering, while 44 per cent of dry peas have reached the 7-12 node stage. Alberta's full crop report can be found here.
Saskatchewan's latest Crop Report (for June 16th) shows most crops are reported as being normal in their development for this time of year. However, many producers are reporting that without rain soon crop development will be delayed on later seeded crops. Spring cereals are rated as 13 per cent ahead, 72 per cent normal and 15 per cent behind. Oilseeds are rated as five per cent ahead, 68 per cent normal and 27 per cent behind. Finally, pulse crops are 14 per cent ahead, 77 per cent normal and nine per cent behind. Crop conditions across the province are mainly rated as fair to good. Saskatchewan's full crop report can be found here.
Manitoba's latest Crop Report (for June 17th) shows winter wheat and fall rye growth is good, with most advanced winter wheat heading out and fall rye in late flowering. Earliest seeded spring cereals are in the stem elongation stage. Majority of corn fields range from V3 to V6. Oilseeds, wide range of canola growth stages due to a long seeding window. Late seeded canola has emerged. Earliest canola is bolting with the first flowers appearing. Flax ranges from first leaves to the 10 true leaf stage. Majority of sunflowers range from V4 to V10. Field peas range from the 5 to 10 node stage, the most advanced soybeans are at the third trifoliate with some iron deficiency chlorosis present.