The amount of rain the county has received has become a hot topic for many among the town. The rain has put a damper on many events this summer, with events like the Plamondon mud bogs not being able to unleash their monster trucks because the rain had made it too muddy...at the mudbogs.
Environment Canada’s numbers on the rainfalls have shown that there were 120mm of rain in June (4.7 inches). The month of July was even worse with a total rainfall of 145 mm (5.7 inches). Currently, August has already seen 34 mm of rainfall (1.3 inches).
Environment Canada does not have a weather station in the area (the nearest stations are in St. Lina and Andrew) and are unable to provide accurate averages for long-term weather patterns (for example the average rainfall for the month of July). Using the tools Environment Canada does have, there is a visible growth on a year to year basis.
In July 2018, the county saw 53mm of rainfall for the month (2 inches). In July 2017 the county received 107 millimetres (4.2 inches), 53.2 mm in July 2016 and 70mm (2.7 inches) in July 2015. Using these numbers, the average rainfall in July for the last five years is 85.6mm (3.4 inches). The last month of rainfall (145mm or 5.7 inches) in Lac La Biche has been above average for the region.
Local rain-gauges disagree with the amount of rainfall we received according to Environment Canada. On the Lac La Biche POST’s Facebook page, many readers chimed in with their own rainfall numbers. Many with their own rain gauges reported numbers between 14 - 20 inches from readings across the municipality from Wandering River to Rich Lake. According to Environment Canada’s numbers, we’ve only received 12.19 inches since May.
Slow down
The rainfall has put a damper on many things, including sevveral construction projects going on in the county. The road repaving and boat launch construction at Holowachuk estates has been delayed by the rainfall patterns, according to the county’s manager of engineering services Ali Memon.
“Construction in Holowachuk Estates has been slower than anticipated, with 25 recorded rain days since the project’s start. However, assuming that the weather cooperates, the County and contractor Martushev Logging Ltd. still aim to finish it by the end of August.” said Memon in a statement to the POST. “Rain has always been a factor in construction delays, but this season has seen a different rainfall pattern. There has been very little dry time between rainfalls, meaning that the soil has had minimal time to settle.”
This rainfall pattern has also affected construction of the new sports fields at the Bold Center, but Memon says they are still hoping to hit their target date of November 1 2019.
“Rain has delayed construction of the sports fields—we’ve confirmed 18 rain days from the beginning of the project. Though the County and contractor are still aiming to have the fields ready by November 1, 2019, that timeline is weather-dependent,” he said.
Mixed forecast this week
After a mixed forecast that did include some sunny breaks over the last weekend, Environment Canada is forecasting some overcast skies to start the week, but a sunny midweek with highs of 23 degrees. Friday has a 60 per cent of showers with a mix of sun and cloud for Saturday.
