Arid Edmonton

nlafrance3 · Post by **nlafrance3** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:23 pm

Year to date we have had 9 inches of rain. Average is around 16 inches. Phoenix, AR is classified as an arid climate and has an average of 12 inches of rain a year. I'm predicting these drying effects of global warming are beginning especially here in the great plains. I guess trunked Yucca's may be quite at home here soon, especially if we continue to have winters no colder then zone 5 (-29c) and it also helps alot to try to protect palms when there's not much moisture to rot them. On a brighther note, the first 3 days of this week are going to be highs of around 17 which is pretty good for now and Calgary supposed to hit 20c. We have been alright here in Edmonton with fairly minor frosts in October and decent highs.

I see Toronto has been breaking every record almost every day for October, thats kinda scary. Still no frost and none in sight for them. Good on you guys, you're beginning to learn how to steal the southern US' fall and a nice entrance into winter which only seems to start in late December.

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:04 pm

Your yearly average rainfall could easily come to be with 2 and a half months remaining in the year. After all, that's what averages are made of, highs and lows over many years. It is likely continental climates are more vulnerable to this so called "gobal warming event" with regards to temperature readings, where as marine climates are less prone to temperature variation.
Here on the British Columbia coast and Vancouver Island, winters have been on track with recorded averages. Much of what we hear is media attention and it's hightend awareness of nearly every weather event coming our way. So in a way, we are dragged into what's happening elsewhere. Sure winters are somewhat milder here than 40 years ago, but not nearly as much as say, Edmonton, Boise or Witchita. Interior locations are feeling the effects more pronounced.

Cheers, Barrie.

nlafrance3 · Post by **nlafrance3** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:49 pm

Barrie, oh I would just love to see 7 inches of rain/snow in 2 Edmonton months of winter which equals about 177mm rain or 177cm of snow. Fairly impossible considering we didn't even get that in June, July, August combined and winter is our dry months. We'll probably see about 15mm more if we're lucky before the end of the year. I agree that inland we see a lot more record breakers but we're seeing dry years over and over now just as they began to predict for global warming. I'm not saying to sound the alarms, but its definitely interesting. I was unaware until recently that Edmonton is semi-arid along with Calgary. This almost sets the tone for an arid future if global warming is real.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:02 pm

Hey Nate; Long time no hear from. Is business finally slowing down?

It is getting pretty late to get any where near average rainfall this year as we have only about 2 weeks of above freezing temps left. Less than 100 miles north, west and east of here the areas have more than average rainfall.

I just want to know who has been holding the umbrella over Edmonton.

Allen

nlafrance3 · Post by **nlafrance3** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:24 pm

Business has stopped for the year. I hope I can get off to a quick start next year. I can't wait for the ambitious landscape project on my folks yard next year. Early April would be a great time to start landscaping again if we get a good mild winter. How are your palms doing? Lets toast to a good year for them!

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:56 pm

"I just want to know who has been holding the umbrella over Edmonton."

It could be the buckets of rain that Prince Rupert has had already. Perhaps it rained itself out there leaving you nothing in Edmonton.

Cheers, Barrie.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:11 pm

So far they are doing okay. I held off building the insulated bed for the Chamerops and the Butia as the stucco contractor kept promising to finish the front of the house. Finally in August, I built the bed and transplanted the palms. I haven't started building the walls or roof yet. I expect to do that on the weekend as I am almost finished with the prefreeze up yard work.

How did your Trachy do this summer?

Allen

nlafrance3 · Post by **nlafrance3** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:34 pm

The trachy is doing fine but i think its recovering a little from when I lived in my condo and it didn't get much sun or rain. Its now at my folks place. The tips on most of the fans browned but its not too bad and a new fan is on its way. I think its anxious to get out of its pot which wont happen till april or may. I'm trying to protect a red cordyline this year outside as its small and can take around -18c. Its been growing very fast and seems to love our climate. Hopefully I can get it through a winter. It looks like we're gonna be hovering around highs of about 5c in the first week of November which isn't horrible. I would love to see above 0c temps for highs until December and no snow. If you remember last year we got hammered with cold temps in late october/mid November and dumped on with snow. We deserve to have a nice winter even though our worst low temps have been staying fairly mild the past couple winters. I think there is a nice microclimate on the south edge of my house which is about one full zone warmer then the city. It still hasn't frosted beside my house where my moms rose is and its blooming profusely.

nlafrance3 · Post by **nlafrance3** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:45 am

Rolling 12 months precipitation

293mm = 11.5 inches

That is ridiculous if you ask me. We're gonna need more than that to keep everything alive. Only thing thats going to benefit is the yuccas and agaves haha.