Manitoba Ag Weather Program

Manitoba's ag agro-meteorology program provides weather-related information and value-added tools for Manitoba producers. All of the current and archived weather data is available free of charge. Data collected is stored at 15-minute intervals to compute hourly and daily data.

The program is always expanding and improving to provide more reliable data, particularly in areas that lack adequate coverage. Producers interested in hosting a weather station around the identified areas of future planned installations should ensure that the proposed location meets the site selection criteria.

The program has three main goals:

  • Improving weather monitoring across agricultural Manitoba
  • Encouraging partnerships and sharing of weather information
  • Developing value-added tools to assist decision-making by Manitoba producers
 

Weather monitoring stations

The Manitoba government operates about 120 automated near real-time permanent weather stations. These stations complement the automated weather stations of Environment Canada and other networks. 

 

Manitoba Ag Weather Program Station: Findlay (2020)

 
Manitoba Ag Weather Program stations are solar powered and communicate wirelessly via cellular communication. This enables stations to be situated away from geographical or man-made features and obstructions that may influence the local conditions. The objective is to locate the station where it may adequately represent the climate of the area.  Whenever possible, stations are located above surfaces that represent the general area or optimally, a short grass surface.

Weather station measurements and sensors

Air Temperature (°C)

Air temperature is measured using a Vaisala HMP 155 temperature and relative humidity sensor at a height of 2 m above ground level.

 

Relative Humidity (%)

Relative Humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapour in the air relative to the amount of moisture required to saturate that air at the same temperature. Relative humidity is measured using a Vaisala HMP 155temperature and relative humidity sensor, mounted at 2 m above ground level.

 

Precipitation (mm)

Total precipitation is the amount of liquid or solid water particles formed by condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere.  Total precipitation (including liquid snow) is measured using an OTT HydroMet Pluvio2 400 All-Weather Precipitation Gauge. Precipitation is measured year-round. 

 

Wind Speed (km/hr) and Wind Direction (°)

Wind Speed and wind direction are measured using an RM Young propeller anemometer mounted at the top of the 10 m tower.  Sensors are calibrated or replaced every three years.

 

Soil Temperature (°C)

Soil Temperature is measured at four depths: 5 cm, 20 cm, 50 cm, and 100 cm. All sensors are buried beneath grass cover. At 5 cm, soil temperature is measured using a CS109L Campbell Scientific probe.  Soil temperature all other depths are measured using Delta-T ML3 Theta Probes which also measure soil moisture.

 

Soil Moisture (%)

Soil moisture is measured as Volumetric Water Content. This is measured as a percentage of the volume of water, relative to the amount of soil at a given depth. Soil Volumetric Water Contant is measured using Delta-T ML3 Theta probes installed at 5 cm, 20 cm, 50 cm, and 100 cm depths.  These are installed at the base of the weather station tower beneath a grass surface. Please note, soil moisture can very greatly over short distances. Soil moisture values are not valid when ground is frozen.   

 

Barometric Pressure (hPa)

Also called atmospheric pressure, barometric pressure is measured using a Vaisala PTB100 housed within the weather station enclosure box at approximately 1.5 m. Elevation at each location is adjusted for reference to sea level.

 

For detailed summary of our weather stations and network, please see The Manitoba Agriculture Mesonet: Technical Overview