Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – June thunderstorms damaged early-season crops across the Prairies, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA).

Storms throughout Western Canada dropped pea-to-toonie-sized hail, resulting in more than 900 crop damage claims between June 13-20. The majority of the claims were filed in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“Thankfully, most of the crops are in the early stages of development and can likely recover from the hail damage,” said Tyson Ryhorchuck, CCHA president. “Most only sustained light to moderate damage from these storms.”

Regional Breakdown of Storm Damage

Alberta

Crops damaged: barley, canola, corn, faba bean, flax, lentils, mustard, oats, peas, triticale, wheat

Communities impacted: Carmangay, Strathmore, Bassano, Didsbury, Olds, Morrin, Elnora, Big Valley, Delburne, Ponoka, Heisler, Strome, Daysland, Holden, Kinsella, Edgerton, Ryley, Vegreville, Warburg, Thorsby, Beaumont, Elk Island, Morinville, Gibbons, Redwater, Vimy, Clyde, Thorhild, Jarvie, Sexsmith, Nampa, Fairview, Wainwright, Worsley

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Wheat, barley, lentils, peas, canola, and others

Communities impacted: Bengough, Bruxelles, Canwood, Cudworth, Drake, Eston, Estevan, Foam Lake, Frobisher, Ituna, Kelliher, Lanigan, Leross, Minnedosa, Neepawa, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Raymore, Redvers, Roblin, Rosthern, Saskatoon, Wadena, Wilkie, Willow Bunch, Wynyard. 

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Wheat, canola, fall rye, soybeans, edible beans, barley, peas, corn

Communities impacted: Lakeland, Benito, Roblin, Neepawa, Minnedosa, Franklin, Carberry, Bruxelles, Swan River

For more information and to view past reports, you can visit the CCHA website.