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Frost hits crops in Canadian province of Alberta

[September 11, 2014]  WINNIPEG Manitoba (Reuters) - Freezing temperatures covered much of the Western Canadian province of Alberta early on Thursday, raising the risk of damage to wheat, barley and canola crops that did not fully develop.

Overnight temperatures included lows that were just slightly below freezing to well below, according to Environment Canada data. The national weather service reported a low of -6 Celsius (21.2 Fahrenheit) at Edmonton, with the temperature in the provincial capital hovering between -4 and -6 Celsius during a five-hour period.

Significant lows were also recorded at Lloydminster (-5.3 Celsius), Peace River (-3.1 Celsius), Red Deer (-4 Celsius) and points in between.

Parts of southern Alberta escaped the frost.

The neighboring provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba mostly avoided the deep freeze.

Factors such as the duration of cold weather, how far below freezing temperatures reach and the stage of crop development determine the extent of frost damage. Temperatures lower than -2 Celsius that last for several hours can kill crops.

Canada is the world's sixth-largest wheat producer and biggest grower of canola, a seed that is crushed for its oil and meal.

(Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

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