The greater Parkland region shares a pure continental climate that has four distinctive seasonal changes. These seasonal changes sculpt the lifestyle and provide for year round business opportunities and recreational activities to serve thousands of residents and visitors.
Average High Temperature |
January: -12. Cº |
July: +25.3Cº |
Average Low Temperature |
January: -23.4Cº |
July: +11.9Cº |
Average Rainfall |
356.9mm or 14.3 inches |
|
Average Snowfall |
138.8cm or 69.8 inches |
|
Average Annual Precipitation |
192 - 499mm |
|
Frost Free Days |
90 to 122 days |
|
Growing degree days (>5Cº) |
1,450 to 1,580 days |
|
Effective growing days |
1,100 to 1,400 days |
|
The heat accumulation above this base temperature is reported as growing-degree days (GDD). For cereals and oilseeds this temperature is 5Cº and for corn and sorghum the temperature is 10Cº. The accumulated heat above the base temperature is added together for the growing season to determine the GDD.
The heavy intensity rainfalls often occur during July and August in association with hot weather. The Parkland region will tend to be slightly cooler and wetter than in southern Manitoba. The average number of frost-free days varies in the region from 90-112 days. The number of frost-free days is particularly reduced in the western areas due to the escarpment or increased elevators of about 700 and 800 metres high around the mountains. Snowfall is also important as a source of spring soil moisture and as an insulating blanket protecting soil temperatures from extreme and wide temperature fluctuations.
| Rural Municipality | Mean Annual Temperature |
Annual Precipitation |
Frost Free Days |
Growing Degree Days |
Moisture Deficit May - Sept |
Effective Growing Degree Days |
Dauphin |
1.7 C |
492 mm |
112 |
1,580 |
200 |
1,100-1,400 |
Ethelbert |
1.4–1.7 C |
192–499 mm |
109-112 |
1,486-1,580 |
200 |
1,100-1,400 |
Gilbert Plains |
1.2-1.7 C |
491-497 mm |
90-112 |
1,491-1,580 |
200 |
1,100-1,400 |
Grandview |
0.2 C |
476 mm |
96-108 |
1,450-1,500 |
200-250 |
1,200-1,300 |
Hillsburg |
0.2 C |
476 mm |
96-108 |
1,450-1,500 |
200-250 |
1,200-1,300 |
Shell River |
0.2 C |
476 mm |
96-108 |
1,450-1,500 |
200-250 |
1,200-1,300 |
Source: Information bulletin from Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada titled: Soils Terrain-An Introduction to
the Land Resource