Weather expert Drew Lerner says North American farmers might be in for a prolonged period of dry weather.
The continent is overdue for a long drought, having experienced them in 1930, 1950s and 1980s.
This year’s dry spell could start the drought, he told the Western Producer.
Agreeing he doesn’t have enough evidence to say “this is it” Lerner pointed to factors that make a multi-year drought possible.
This year’s dry weather comes after two successive years of record moisture fall in the U.S. and Mexico.
The La Nina current weather cycle, associated with dry winters, is in full swing. Occurring after a solar minimum, as it has, La Nina tends to last a few years.
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation, a long-lived form of La Nina, shows signs of going negative which makes for dry North American weather.
For Canada, some escape is possible as the drought pushes jet streams and wet weather north.
Extreme drought is shown on the U.S. drought map for the lower and western half of the country.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
