Teleconnections between North Pacific SST anomalies and growing season extended dry spells on the canadian prairies

This investigation documents the relationships between anomalous North Pacific sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) and the occurrence of growing season extended dry spells on the Canadian Prairies. Results show a significant correlation between extended dry spells and a positive SST anomaly gradient in the east‐central North Pacific. The gradient exists between an area of anomalously cold water in the east‐central North Pacific in the area 30°N–40°N latitude and 165°W‐135°W longitude, and an area of anomalously warm water along the central west coast of North America in the area 45°N–55°N latitude and 130°W‐125°W longitude. A probability model shows that the longer this positive gradient persists, the greater the probability of a major extended dry spell on the Canadian Prairies.