Soil Management Handbook - Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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Appendix A: The Climate of the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys The climate in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys is governed by the region’s location in the lees of the Coast Mountain Range. These mountains, with peaks to over 2,450 metres (8000 ft), are extremely effective at removing moisture from the precipitation bearing westerly winds through orographic lifting of the air mass, resulting in a wet mild climate west of the Coast Range. In the lee of the Coast Mountains, a rain shadow effect is produced and cloud and precipitation amounts are decreased, sunshine is increased, humidities are lowered and the range of seasonal temperature is greater than on the windward side. (See Figures 1 and 2). Precipitation and Other Moisture Related Parameters During the winter months, the predominantly westerly upper air flow contains weak weather systems which produce light rain or snow in the interior valleys. Frequently, severe outbreaks of arctic air penetrate into the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys reducing minimum temperatures below -25°C. In the past 10 years, these outbreaks have brought about a 50% risk of severly reducing some crop production (i.e., grapes and tree fruits) in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Heavy snowfall often occurs as these cold air masses are replaced by more moist and mild Pacific air masses (see Figure 1). Summer months are dry and warm with precipitation usually in the form of brief showers or thunderstorms. Although climate has a strong influence on crop production, mesoclimate is often the overriding climate consideration for perennial crop suitability. June is the wettest month while July, August and September are usually dominated by a high pressure ridge which produces warm and dry conditions over the interior. The dry, hot summers lead to soil moisture deficits in most areas during the growing season and irrigation is required for the production of most agricultural crops (see Figure 2). However, the northern section of the area will experience a higher rate of annual precipitation overall, i.e., Armstrong at 457 mm as opposed to Keremeos at 242 mm. Figure 1 Typical winter weather patterns in Southern British Columbia Source: Atlas of Suitable Grape Growing Locations in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys Appendix A-1
Appendix A-2 Figure 2 Typical summer weather patterns in Southern British Columbia Source: Atlas of Suitable Grape Growing Locations in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys Temperature and Other Parameters Derived from Temperature Brief, very hot periods occur when modified dry continental tropical air invades the area from the desert region of the southwestern United States often raising temperatures to 35°C or more. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded include Keremeos at 41.1°C, while at Winfield, the highest is 37.2°C. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Armstrong is -42.2°C, while at Winfield, the lowest is -25.5°C. Large bodies of water, especially slow moving ones, serve to moderate temperature effects on surrounding areas. Such bodies of water have a large heat storage capability, warming the surrounding areas in the winter. They have a cooling effect in the summer. In addition to this moderating effect, crops located on slopes close to large lakes or rivers benefit from the refection of solar radiation from the water surface increasing the length of the frost free period. Lakes or large rivers also increase the surrounding area humidity and cloud cover. All of these factors reduce the risk of late spring or early fall frosts and extend the growing season. Irrigation in arid areas can modify the surrounding climate significantly. Overhead irrigation can be used to reduce stress on crop production through atmospheric cooling. Crop quality in cool climate areas, therefore, may benefit more from low level irrigation rather than high, overhead sprinklers. Mesoclimate Mesoclimate refers to small areas of the earth’s surface that may not be representative of the general climate of an area. It includes the climate created by moisture, solar radiation, small valleys, frost pockets, openings in a forest, hillsides, temperature, shelterbelts and wind the lowest areas of the standard weather stations. Factors that influence mesoclimate include: solar radiation, soil type and texture, slope and aspect, heat unit accumulation, elevation, wind, water and vegetation.
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Soil Management Handbook For The Ok
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Preface The Soil Management Handboo
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Table Of Contents Preface..........
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Table of Contents Con't. Page 3.6 D
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List Of Soil Management Groups And
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List Of Tables Table1: Farm Conserv
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To obtain information about the soi
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List of Definitions for Table 1 Con
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Well Suited Crops • All necessary
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Soil Depth refers to the depth to e
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Grapes: grape suitability is strong
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Soil Management Groups This section
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Gammil Soil Management Group Soil S
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Greata Soil Management Group Soil S
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Kelowna Soil Management Group Soil
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Munson Soil Management Group Soil S
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Postill Soil Management Group Soil
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Rumohr Soil Management Group Soil S
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Skaha Soil Management Group Soil Se
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Summerland Soil Management Group So
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Miscellaneous Soils Soil Series: Ar
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Soil Management Guide This section
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Table 5 Soil Particle Size and Char
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Table 6 Physical Characteristics of
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plant roots and organic matter. The
Page 53 and 54: The bulk density of high organic mi
Page 55 and 56: Other management practices, such as
Page 57 and 58: Figure 11 Schematic drawing of the
Page 59 and 60: 1 m, etc., in an orchard block wher
Page 61 and 62: 3. Water Management High rainfall d
Page 63 and 64: Table 12 Availability Coefficients
Page 65 and 66: Impact of large drops of water disp
Page 67 and 68: The single most important soil fact
Page 69 and 70: land. Drainage systems are also nec
Page 71 and 72: Detailed information is provided in
Page 73 and 74: Table 16 Generalized Soil Profile D
Page 75 and 76: Table 17 Drain Recommendations Base
Page 77 and 78: is very susceptible to structure de
Page 79 and 80: vertically into the soil and as it
Page 81 and 82: Figure 19 Schematic drawing of the
Page 83 and 84: Case 1: Well Structured Soils If th
Page 85 and 86: fracture requires the soil to expan
Page 87 and 88: "tie up" some soil nitrogen, althou
Page 89 and 90: efer to the following Factsheets: S
Page 91 and 92: contaminate groundwater. Water cont
Page 93 and 94: Table 18 N, P and K Content of Vari
Page 95 and 96: field access is possible, manure ap
Page 97 and 98: Annual or permanent cover will redu
Page 99 and 100: agricultural production, its impact
Page 101 and 102: References Published Sources Agricu
Page 103: Stevenson, D.S. and Brownlee, C.H.
Page 107 and 108: Appendix A-4 fall frost. The angle
Page 109 and 110: Appendix A-6 Abbreviations Used in
Page 111 and 112: Appendix B: Soil Series And Locatio
Page 113 and 114: Greata Soil Management Group Greata
Page 115 and 116: Postill Soil Management Group Eanea
Page 117 and 118: Miscellaneous Soils Armstrong (A:er
Page 119: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT B.C
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Soil Management Handbook - Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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